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The Human Tree, By: G.K. Chesterton

February 7, 2023 by Editors

The Human Tree, By: G.K. Chesterton

    Many have Earth’s lovers been,
    Tried in seas and wars, I ween;
    Yet the mightiest have I seen:
    Yea, the best saw I.
    One that in a field alone
    Stood up stiller than a stone
    Lest a moth should fly.

    Birds had nested in his hair,
    On his shoon were mosses rare.
    Insect empires flourished there,
    Worms in ancient wars;
    But his eyes burn like a glass,
    Hearing a great sea of grass
    Roar towards the stars.

    From, them to the human tree
    Rose a cry continually,
    ‘Thou art still, our Father, we
    Fain would have thee nod.
    Make the skies as blood below thee,
    Though thou slay us, we shall know thee.
    Answer us, O God!

    ‘Show thine ancient flame and thunder,
    Split the stillness once asunder,
    Lest we whisper, lest we wonder
    Art thou there at all?’
    But I saw him there alone,
    Standing stiller than a stone
    Lest a moth should fall.

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