• Nothing but leaves; the spirit grieves
      Over a wasted life;
    Sin committed while conscience slept,
    Promises made, but never kept,
      Hatred, battle, and strife;
        Nothing but leaves!

    Nothing but leaves; no garnered sheaves
      Of life’s fair, ripened grain;
    Words, idle words, for earnest deeds;
    We sow our seeds,—lo! tares...