Ballads of Peace in War

<h2> THE TREE IN THE TENEMENT YARD </h2> <p>(For T. A. Daly)<br/></p> <p>America, Ireland and Italy,<br/> All have known this poor old tree.<br/> <br/> * * *<br/> <br/> A rickety fence goes round the yard<br/> And the noisy streets stand high:<br/> The grassless ground is brown and hard,<br/> And the cinder pathways, lined with shard,<br/> Sees but a bit of sky.<br/> <br/> Once the yard was fertile and fair,<br/> And lilac bushes near:<br/> And a Yankee counted with fretful care,<br/> Under the solacing shadows there,<br/> The gain of every year.<br/> <br/> The crowded walls of trade arose<br/> And gloomed the avenue:<br/> But a Munster man at each day's close<br/> Built in the tree his hope's rainbows,<br/> And saw his dreams come true.<br/> <br/> The years have thickened the darkened air,<br/> But the tree is still on guard:<br/> It comforts the young Italian there,<br/> Who sees the future blossoming fair<br/> From the tree in the tenement yard.<br/> <br/> * * *<br/> <br/> America, Ireland and Italy<br/> All have loved this poor old tree.<br/></p> <p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"></SPAN></p> <br/> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />