A young beech clinging to its last year’s leaves.

EVENING IN A SUGAR ORCHARD

From where I lingered in a lull in March

Outside the sugar-house one night for choice,

I called the fireman with a careful voice

And bade him leave the pan and stoke the arch:

“O fireman, give the fire another stoke,

And send more sparks up chimney with the smoke.”

I thought a few might tangle, as they did,

Among bare maple boughs, and in the rare