Classic Poem

Now St. Joseph's cottage stood
Close beside a cherry wood;
And when all the trees were red
With their dangling fruit, 'tis said
Jesus, at His mother's gown,
Begged to have the branches down.
All in vain she made reply,
" Mother cannot reach so high, "
For He begged them none the less,
In His perfect childishness.

Joseph, in his workshop near,
Heard the Babe, and would not hear —
Heard the Blessed Virgin say,
" Joseph, pull them down, I pray! "
But he answered, with a frown,
" Let His Father pull them down! "
Then, to Joseph's wonderment,
Every cherry branch was bent;
And Our Lady sweetly smiled,
Picking cherries for her Child.