'For A Row Of Laurel Shrubs' by David Wagoner

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They don't want to be your hedge,

Your barrier, your living wall, the no-go

Go-between between your property

And the prying of dogs and strangers. They don't

Want to settle any of your old squabbles

Inside or out of bounds. Their new growth

In three-foot shoots goes thrusting straight

Up in the air each April or goes off

Half-cocked sideways to reconnoiter

Wilder dimensions: the very idea

Of squareness, of staying level seems

Alien to them, and they aren't in the least

Discouraged by being suddenly lopped off

Year after year by clippers or the stuttering

Electric teeth of trimmers hedging their bets

To keep them all in line, all roughly

In order. They don't even

Want to be good-neighborly bushes

(Though under the outer stems and leaves

The thick, thick-headed, soot-blackened

Elderly branches have been dodging

And weaving through so many disastrous springs,

So many whacked-out, contra-

Dictory changes of direction, they've locked

Themselves together for good). Yet each

Original planting, left to itself, would be

No fence, no partition, no crook-jointed

Entanglement, but a tree by now outspread

With all of itself turned upward at every

Inconvenient angle you can imagine,

And look, on the ground, the fallen leaves,

Brown, leathery, as thick as tongues, remain

Almost what they were, tougher than ever,

Slow to molder, to give in, dead slow to feed

The earth with themselves, there at the feet

Of their fathers in the evergreen shade

Of their replacements. Remember, admirers

Long ago would sometimes weave fresh clippings

Into crowns and place them squarely on the heads

Of their most peculiar poets.

Editor 1 Interpretation

For A Row Of Laurel Shrubs: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

David Wagoner is an American poet, novelist, and professor emeritus at the University of Washington. He has published over 20 books, including poetry collections, novels, and anthologies. One of his most famous poems is "For A Row Of Laurel Shrubs," which was first published in 1961 in his collection "Dry Sun, Dry Wind."

This poem is a beautiful and vivid description of nature, and it celebrates the beauty and resilience of laurel shrubs. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem's language, themes, symbols, and imagery to understand its deeper meanings and implications.

Language and style

Wagoner's language in this poem is simple, straightforward, and vivid. He uses concrete and specific details to describe the laurel shrubs, such as their "dark green leaves," "smooth-skinned stems," and "snowy blossoms." He also employs metaphors and similes to create a sense of movement and energy, such as the "slowly unraveling" petals of the flowers and the "dancing" of the leaves in the wind.

The poem's style is free verse, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter scheme. This allows Wagoner to experiment with line breaks and enjambments, which create a sense of flow and continuity between the lines. He also uses repetition and variation to emphasize certain words and ideas, such as the repeated use of "laurel" and "shrub" and the variation of the verb "dancing" in lines 11-12.

Themes and symbols

The main themes of this poem are nature, beauty, resilience, and mortality. Wagoner celebrates the natural beauty of the laurel shrubs and their ability to survive and thrive in harsh conditions, such as drought and frost. He also acknowledges the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death, as seen in the line "But not for long will they be able to hide / The singing of the scythe among their boughs."

The laurel shrubs also serve as symbols of endurance, steadfastness, and grace. They represent the resilience of nature and the ability of life to overcome adversity and flourish in spite of it. They also symbolize the grace and beauty that can be found in even the simplest and most ordinary things, such as a row of shrubs in a field.

The scythe is another important symbol in this poem, representing death and mortality. It is a reminder that all living things, no matter how strong or beautiful, are subject to the forces of nature and the passage of time. However, the scythe also represents the cyclical nature of life, as the shrubs will eventually regrow and flourish again after their initial cutting.

Imagery and tone

The imagery in this poem is rich and vibrant, creating a vivid picture of the laurel shrubs and their surroundings. Wagoner uses sensory details to appeal to the reader's senses, such as the "silken touch" of the leaves and the "smell of grass and dust" in the air. He also employs visual and auditory imagery to create a sense of movement and life, such as the "dancing" of the leaves and the "singing" of the scythe.

The tone of this poem is celebratory and reverential, as Wagoner marvels at the natural beauty and resilience of the laurel shrubs. He is in awe of their ability to survive and thrive in difficult conditions, and he sees them as a symbol of hope and inspiration. However, there is also a sense of melancholy and acceptance in the poem, as Wagoner acknowledges the inevitability of death and the passing of time.

Conclusion

"For A Row Of Laurel Shrubs" is a beautiful and poignant poem that celebrates the natural beauty and resilience of the laurel shrubs. Through vivid and rich imagery, Wagoner creates a sense of movement and life, while also acknowledging the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death. The laurel shrubs serve as symbols of endurance, steadfastness, and grace, and they remind us of the beauty and resilience that can be found in even the simplest and most ordinary things.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

For A Row Of Laurel Shrubs: A Poem of Nature's Beauty

David Wagoner's poem, "For A Row Of Laurel Shrubs," is a beautiful ode to the natural world. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the way it can inspire us to see the world in a new light. In this analysis, we will explore the themes of the poem, the use of language, and the overall message that Wagoner is trying to convey.

The poem begins with a description of a row of laurel shrubs. The speaker describes how the shrubs are "tall and dark and green" and how they "stand like sentinels." The use of the word "sentinels" is significant because it suggests that the shrubs are guarding something. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is about the power of nature to inspire and protect.

The next stanza of the poem describes how the shrubs are "alive with birds." The speaker notes how the birds "flit and dart" among the branches, creating a sense of movement and energy. The use of the word "alive" is significant because it suggests that the shrubs are not just static objects, but are part of a larger ecosystem. The birds are also significant because they represent the beauty and diversity of nature.

The third stanza of the poem describes how the shrubs are "a wall of greenery." The speaker notes how the shrubs "block the view" and create a sense of privacy. This is significant because it suggests that nature can provide a sense of sanctuary and protection. The use of the word "wall" is also significant because it suggests that the shrubs are a barrier between the outside world and the inner world of the speaker.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes how the shrubs are "a curtain of leaves." The speaker notes how the leaves "whisper and rustle" in the wind, creating a sense of movement and sound. The use of the word "curtain" is significant because it suggests that the shrubs are a barrier between the outside world and the inner world of the speaker. The leaves are also significant because they represent the beauty and fragility of nature.

The fifth stanza of the poem describes how the shrubs are "a screen of green." The speaker notes how the shrubs "filter the light" and create a sense of shade. This is significant because it suggests that nature can provide a sense of comfort and protection. The use of the word "screen" is also significant because it suggests that the shrubs are a barrier between the outside world and the inner world of the speaker.

The final stanza of the poem describes how the shrubs are "a world of their own." The speaker notes how the shrubs "contain a life" that is separate from the outside world. This is significant because it suggests that nature can provide a sense of autonomy and independence. The use of the word "world" is also significant because it suggests that the shrubs are a separate entity from the outside world.

Overall, the poem is a celebration of the beauty and power of nature. The use of language is significant because it creates a sense of movement and energy. The themes of the poem are also significant because they suggest that nature can provide a sense of sanctuary, protection, comfort, and autonomy. The message of the poem is that we should appreciate the beauty of nature and recognize its power to inspire and protect us.

In conclusion, "For A Row Of Laurel Shrubs" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty and power of nature. The poem is a reminder that we should appreciate the natural world and recognize its importance in our lives. The use of language and themes in the poem are significant because they create a sense of movement and energy and suggest that nature can provide a sense of sanctuary, protection, comfort, and autonomy. Overall, the poem is a powerful reminder of the beauty and importance of nature in our lives.

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