STUDY IN BARK

Leaves Compared with Flowers
Robert Frost (1874-1963)

A tree's leaves may be ever so good,

So may its bar, so may its wood;

But unless you put the right thing to its root

It never will show much flower or fruit.

But I may be one who does not care

Ever to have tree bloom or bear.

Leaves for smooth and bark for rough,

Leaves and bark may be tree enough.

Some giant trees have blooms so small

They might as well have none at all.

Late in life I have come on fern.

Now lichens are due to have their turn.

I bade men tell me which in brief,

Which is fairer, flower or leaf.

They did not have the wit to say,

Leaves by night and flowers by day.

Leaves and bar, leaves and bark,

To lean against and hear in the dark.

Petals I may have once pursued

Leaves are all my darker mood.

What is a "Study in . . ."? 

A visual record defined by a single element, such as color, texture, or type. For those of you new to this blog, Thursdays are my designated "Study in. . . ." days. My previous journal entries include Studies in Purple, Stone Faces, and Yellow. I hope you enjoy them.

Sharon