Arbor Day Poem

Old Johnny Appleseed

Author Unknown 

Grandpa stopped, and from the grass at our feet,
Picked up an apple, large, juicy, and sweet;
Then took out his jackknife, and, cutting a slice,
Said, as we ate it, "Isn't it nice
To have such apples to eat and enjoy?
Well, there weren't very many when I was a boy,
For the country was new - e'en food was scant;
We had hardly enough to keep us from want,
And this good man, as he rode around,
Oft eating and sleeping upon the ground,
Always carried and planted appleseeds -
Not for himself, but for others' needs.
The appleseeds grew, and we, today,
Eat of the fruit planted by the way.
While Johnny - bless him -is under the sod -
His body is - ah! he is with God;
For, child, though it seemed a trifling deed,
For a man just to plant an appleseed,
The apple tree's shade, the flowers, the fruit,
Have proved a blessing to man and to brute.
Look at the orchards throughout the land,
All of them planted by old Johnny's hand.
He will forever remembered be;
I would wish to have all so think of me." 

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