Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

V. Trees: Flowers: Plants

Copa de Oro

Ina Donna Coolbrith (1841–1928)

THY satin vesture richer is than looms

Of Orient weave for raiment of her kings!

Not dyes of olden Tyre, not precious things

Regathered from the long-forgotten tombs

Of buried empires, not the iris plumes

That wave upon the tropics’ myriad wings,

Not all proud Sheba’s queenly offerings,

Could match the golden marvel of thy blooms.

For thou art nurtured from the treasure-veins

Of this fair land: thy golden rootlets sup

Her sands of gold—of gold thy petals spun.

Her golden glory, thou! on hills and plains,

Lifting, exultant, every kingly cup

Brimmed with the golden vintage of the sun.