Trees

by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

依我看诗永远不会

像树那么美丽

看它用饥饿的嘴紧贴着

有流着甜甜乳汁胸脯的大地

看它从早到晚仰视着上苍

祈祷时伸出带叶子的手臂

到夏天一窝知更鸟可能

会长在它的头发里

它的怀抱里曾躺过雪

也亲密地接触着雨

人这种傻瓜可以写写诗

造出树来只能靠上帝

（2021年4月毗陵居士译）

Alfred Joyce Kilmer 是虔诚的天主教徒。美国加入第一次世界大战时他已30岁又拖家带口的，本来可以不去，却自告奋勇参加，还非要干最危险的侦查任务，31岁英年早逝地死于法国战场。