I have seen a gum-tree,
Scarred by the blaze
Of the pioneer axe,
Mend after long days;
Lip to lip shut
Of the separate bark,
Till the gape of the wound
Was a vanishing mark.
I have seen in the hunt
The pulse of rent flesh;
Seen the fingers of Time
Unite it afresh.
I have heard a man’s cry
As the teeth of the mill
Bit marrow and bone-
To hurt, not to kill.
Oh, strong is the flesh
To cure and defend:
‘Tis but the stopt heart
That Time cannot mend.
(Mary Eliza Fullerton)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Time PoemsBased on Keywords: gum-tree