Roots and Leaves Themselves Alone

ROOTS and leaves themselves alone are these,
Scents brought to men and women from the wild woods and 
 pond-side,
Breast-sorrel and pinks of love, fingers that wind around tighter 
 than vines,
Gushes from the throats of birds hid in the foliage of trees as the 
 sun is risen,
Breezes of land and love set from living shores to you on the living 
 sea, to you O sailors!
Frost-mellow'd berries and Third-month twigs offer'd fresh to 
 young persons wandering out in the fields when the winter 
 breaks up,
Love-buds put before you and within you whoever you are,
Buds to be unfolded on the old terms,
If you bring the warmth of the sun to them they will open and 
 bring form, color, perfume, to you,
If you become the aliment and the wet they will become flowers,
 fruits, tall branches and trees.