University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

Page 32 text:

12 THE REDWOOD The lonely tree once more fought all the day With the inclement winds—but soon the fray Came to an end,— the tender little tree. Was torn from out its feed with savage glee. Thus as the tree I spent a many day In fighting off this world, that wotald Y aylay My aching heart and drown it in the wave Of this vain life that seeketh to deprave. From year to year I fought my weary ■way Hoping to reach that land, where I ' ve heard say Eternal rest and quietude abide, Where I shall be forever by His side. So too, as did that frail and tender plant I found some rest when midnight zephyrs chant To Him that ruleth over all that sleep, To Him and Her who think of those who weep. He saw my prayer reflected in my tears And in my heart he read that many years I ' d sought this world in vain for some true friend Whose love for me would last unto the end. Behold! my dear, He sendeth you to me. Behold! the sinner ' s Comfort has heard my plea, For now my heart abides within your breast- But woe is me! for there ' twiil never rest.

Page 31 text:

THE REDWOOD n TO CHATA A frail green tree grew lonely by the way On some far mount where winds blew all the day; From morn till night it wrestled with the storm That sought its tender beauty to deform. It found no peace, save in the quiet night When all the dying winds, as if contrite Gave place to gentle zephyrs and lent rest,— For peace unbroken w as its one request. So thus remained the tree for many years — Repose it only found in the dewy tears Of some dark pulsing night, who gave it sleep Upon its breast, and there it ceased to weep. At last some providential wind did blow A little seed and planted it below What cooling shade the tender tree could give That it might grow and with it ever live. The seed, as God commanded, grew and grew And twined about the tree, as friend most true. Its dew-stained tendrils, till at last The tree embraced, felt not the impetuous blast. Thus they remained together till one day Some maddened wind that happ ' ed along that way, Tore from the little tree its only friend And there, alone, it struggled to the end.

Page 33 text:

THE REDWOOD i3 Alike the winds that killed the tender plant, That thought that ' s in your mind predominant Will snatch you from me, as was the twining vine Torn from the tree, and you no more ' ll be mine. You long for light, for glory and for fame, And oft your words ambition will inflame Within my breast— but no!— I have to stay The same thr ough life ' s unhappy, weary day. Life, like the winds that left the tree alone, Impetuously will drag you from the throne That you have held while ruling o ' er my heart, . . . But after all— the best of friends must part. My Chata, list! I do not blame you, dear. For one like me who is below your sphere In all, can hope for naught— but that you may Remember me when you to Mary pray. Roberto Flood.