THE APPLE-TREE

I saw the archangels in my apple-tree last night,

I saw them like great birds in the starlight—

Purple and burning blue, crimson and shining white.

And each to each they tossed an apple to and fro,

And once I heard their laughter gay and low;

And yet I felt no wonder that it should be so.

But when the apple came one time to Michael’s lap

I heard him say: “The mysteries that enwrap

The earth and fill the heavens can be read here, mayhap.”