Fruit, Not Leaves Alone
By Marianne Farningham
ALAS for the trees that have only leaves
For the Master's piercing gaze!
Who have lived and flourished and
bloomed in vain
After these many days.
What if the Master should say to them,
“Never shall fruit be seen
On the trees that cumber the useful
ground,
And have nothing to show but
green”? Patient Master, be patient still;
Smite not the trees to-day
With the blighting word or a stern rebuke,
Bringing the swift decay.
Let them linger a season yet,
If perchance there soon may be
Not leaves alone for thy searching
glance
But ripened fruit for thee.
— Marianne Farningham.