The original "To the Oak Tree":
If I love you, I will never show off myself with your high branches like a climbing Campbell flower: if I love you, I will never imitate spoony birds and repeat monotonous songs for green leaves; It is not only like spring, but also brings cool comfort all year round; It is not just like a dangerous peak, it increases your height and sets off your dignity. Even during the day. Even spring rain.
No, these are not enough! I must be a kapok beside you, standing with you as a tree 1 Roots, close to the ground, leaves, lingering in the clouds. Every time a gust of wind blows, we greet each other, but no one understands us.
You have your copper branches and iron stems, like a knife, like a sword, like a halberd, I have my red flowers, like a heavy sigh, like a heroic torch, and we share the cold wave, storm and thunderbolt; We * * * enjoy the mist and rainbow, as if we were separated forever, but we were dependent on each other for life. This is great love, and this is firmness: not only love your stalwart body, but also love your persistent position and the land under your feet.