The Human Tree

Many have Earth's lovers been,     Tried in seas and wars, I ween;     Yet the mightiest have I seen:     Yea, the best saw I.     One that in a field alone     Stood up stiller than a stone     Lest a moth should fly.     Birds had nested in his hair,     On his shoon were mosses rare.     Insect empires flourished there,     Worms in ancient wars;     But his eyes burn like a glass,     Hearing a great sea of grass     Roar towards the stars.     From, them to the human tree     Rose a cry continually,     'Thou art still, our Father, we     Fain would have thee nod.     Make the skies as blood below thee,     Though thou slay us, we shall know thee.     Answer us, O God!     'Show thine ancient flame and thunder,     Split the stillness once asunder,     Lest we whisper, lest we wonder     Art thou there at all?'     But I saw him there alone,     Standing stiller than a stone     Lest a moth should fall.