Washington Mcneely by Edgar Lee Masters — Read

Rich, honored by my fellow citizens, / The father of many children, born of a noble mother, / All raised there / In the great mansion-house, at the edge of town.

Note the cedar tree on the lawn!

I sent all the boys to Ann Arbor, all of the girls to Rockford, / The while my life went on, getting more riches and honors --

Resting under my cedar tree at evening.

The years went on. I sent the girls to Europe;

I dowered them when married.

I gave the boys money to start in business.

They were strong children, promising as apples / Before the bitten places show.

But John fled the country in disgrace.

Jenny died in child-birth --

I sat under my cedar tree.

Harry killed himself after a debauch, / Susan was divorced --

I sat under my cedar tree.

Paul was invalided from over study, / Mary became a recluse at home for love of a man --

I sat under my cedar tree.

All were gone, or broken-winged or devoured by life --

I sat under my cedar tree.

My mate, the mother of them, was taken --

I sat under my cedar tree, / Till ninety years were tolled.

O maternal Earth, which rocks the fallen leaf to sleep!