William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. (1878–1962). Anthology of Magazine Verse for 1920.

Sentinels

OH line of trees all dark and green

Like stately sentinels you stand—

God’s mystery to the world you bring,

God’s presence to the land!

So straight and free,

So still and dark,

God’s sentinels you stand.

Your leafiness makes one forget

The wrath of His invisible Hand.

But lacy leaves mean sturdy bark,

So sure you point the mark—

Big exclamations to God’s throne,

Your trembling leaves cry “Hark!”