beyond the sheltered places

what we'll inspire i'm sure we'll never know
our task is simple just to plant the tree
we're not responsible for how it'll grow

choices are made in high summer or snow
great certainties about worlds that should be
what we'll inspire i'm sure we'll never know

no giant changes no swift overthrow
enough to work that mind develops free
we're not responsible for how it'll grow

reasons abound to take things very slow
for what we plant we'll surely never see
what we inspire i'm sure we'll never know

to watch out for the vulture and the crow
is others' task ours is to do not flee
we're not responsible for how it'll grow

we're on a river that's in constant flow
the thing we give is no more than a key
what we inspire i'm sure we'll never know
we're not responsible for how it'll grow