This poem expresses the speaker's belief that trees are lovelier than any poem. It describes trees as having mouths that drink from the earth, looking at God in prayer with leafy arms raised, providing nests for birds, and enduring snow with intimate companionship to rain. While the speaker makes poems, only God can create a tree.

2. I think that I
shall never see
A poem lovely as
a tree.
Je crois que jamais
je ne Verrai
De poème aussi
beau qu’un arbre,

3. A tree whose
hungry mouth is
pressed
Against the earth's
sweet flowing
breast;
L’arbre qui, de sa
bouche assoiffée,
Presse contre la
riche terre ses lèvres,

4. A tree that looks
at God all day,
And lifts her leafy
arms to pray;
Regardant Dieu
toute la journée,
Il lève ses branches
pour prier,

5. A tree that may in
Summer wear
A nest of robins in
her hair;
L’arbre qui peut
cacher en été
Un nid d’oiseaux
dans sa coiffure,

6. Upon whose
bosom snow has
lain;
Who intimately
lives with rain.
Sur qui la neige
s’est allongée,
Le compagnon de la
froidure.

7. Poems are made
by fools like me,
But only God can
make a tree.
Created by
www.freekidstories.org
Cover courtesy of www.dryicons.com. All other
artwork by www.freepik.com. Poem by Joyce
Kilmer (1886 – 1918)
En poèmes sans fin
je palabre,
Mais Dieu seul sait
faire un arbre.