Poems (Hoffman)/Poison Ivy
POISON IVY (Rhus toricodendron)
In the pasture's tangled thickets
Clinging to old mossy stumps,
Running over rocks and rubbish,
In long wreaths or tangled clumps,
Clambering up the gnarled old tree-trunks
With its strong aerial roots,
Sporting in the balmy breezes,
Graceful sprays and glossy shoots.
A fair vine, with lovely foliage,
Any season, may be seen.
In the Autumn, gold and crimson,
In the Springtime, glossy green.
Charming in its every feature.
Beautiful as heart could want.
Who would think then of avoiding
This fair vine's sequestered haunt?
Yet beware, and think how often
Earth's most charming loveliest things.
Hide beneath a fair exterior,
Poisonous sap, or cruel stings,
Touch not, 'tis the poison ivy;
Spurn its festooned haunt with care;
Trust not, 'tis a fair deception,
Hidden guile is lurking there.
Type of many another nature,
False, untrue, yet passing fair.
Trifling with the poison ivy
Prudence cries: "O friends, beware!"
Clinging to old mossy stumps,
Running over rocks and rubbish,
In long wreaths or tangled clumps,
Clambering up the gnarled old tree-trunks
With its strong aerial roots,
Sporting in the balmy breezes,
Graceful sprays and glossy shoots.
A fair vine, with lovely foliage,
Any season, may be seen.
In the Autumn, gold and crimson,
In the Springtime, glossy green.
Charming in its every feature.
Beautiful as heart could want.
Who would think then of avoiding
This fair vine's sequestered haunt?
Yet beware, and think how often
Earth's most charming loveliest things.
Hide beneath a fair exterior,
Poisonous sap, or cruel stings,
Touch not, 'tis the poison ivy;
Spurn its festooned haunt with care;
Trust not, 'tis a fair deception,
Hidden guile is lurking there.
Type of many another nature,
False, untrue, yet passing fair.
Trifling with the poison ivy
Prudence cries: "O friends, beware!"