Mrs. Elizabeth Clementine Kinney (1810–1889)

WHEN first peeps out from earth the modest vine,

Asking but little space to live and grow,

How easily some step, without design,

May crush the being from a thing so low!

But let the hand that doth delight to show

Support to feebleness the tendril twine

Around some lattice-work, and ’t will bestow

Its thanks in fragrance, and with blossoms shine.

And thus, when Genius first puts forth its shoot,—

So timid that it scarce dare ask to live,—

The tender germ, if trodden under foot,

Shrinks back again to its undying root;

While kindly training bids it upward strive,

And to the future flowers immortal give.