The poem ‘Trees’ was written by Alfred Joyce Kilmer. Alfred was born in New Brunswick New Jersey. He attended the Rutgers College and Columbia University. The ‘Trees’ is just one among several poems written by the poet. His other famous works include Summer Love and Main Street.
Alfred Joyce Kilmer got the inspiration to write this poem one morning when he opened the window and was captivated by the trees. He was struck by an idea to personify the characteristics of this the tree. The first two lines of the poet say that he ‘shall never see a poem as lovely as the tree’. The poet seems to be intrigued by the tree that he likens it to a lovely poem.
The survival of a tree depends on the water from the ground. There is a lot of imagery used by the poet ‘A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed’ this line symbolizes the roots of the tree that stick to the ground to suck up the nourishment from the ground. The roots according to poet drink the ‘earth’s sweet flowing’ this is the water that keeps the tree alive. The tree’s life is based on the ground the same applies to human beings who rely on the earth for its rich sources. If it wasn’t for the abundance of the earth human beings would not exist. The earth sustains the existence of all living things including the tree.
The next line says “A tree looks at God all day” since the tree develops upwards it appears to be trying to get to God. The tree ‘lifts her leafy arms to pray’ this symbolism used to represent different people of the earth praying to God. People worship and pray to God for the abundant blessings that God provides from the earth.
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The birds depend on the undergrowth of the tree for shelter. The branches of the trees are symbolized by ‘trees hair’ and during summer the birds take rest on the trees. The tree is a source of refuge for lots creatures. The poet is quite fascinated by the nature of the tree to provide refuge to other creatures.
The trunks of trees are usually covered in snow and cold during winter ‘under whose bosom snow has lain’ bosom refers to the trees trunk. The trees are able to tolerate the cold due to their robustness. The trees flourish or blossom in the rain. The trees thrive during the rains.
Trees are not made by man they are made by God. Alfred describes him and other poets as fools. Poems come from people’s imaginations but trees are God’s creation. The poem describes himself as a fool to express his inferiority to the works of God. ‘Fools like me’ God can make a tree’ this line emphasizes not only the work of God but also the work of poets putting the works of God into perspective.