'Something About The Trees' by Linda Pastan
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I remember what my father told me:
There is an age when you are most yourself.
He was just past fifty then,
Was it something about the trees that make him speak?
There is an age when you are most yourself.
I know more than I did once.
Was it something about the trees that make him speak?
Only a single leaf had turned so far.
I know more than I did once.
I used to think he'd always be the surgeon.
Only a single leaf had turned so far,
Even his body kept its secrets.
I used to think he'd always be the surgeon,
My mother was the perfect surgeon's wife.
Even his body kept its secrets.
I thought they both would live forever.
My mother was the perfect surgeon's wife,
I can still see her face at thirty.
I thought they both would live forever.
I thought I'd always be their child.
I can still see her face at thirty.
When will I be most myself?
I thought I'd always be their child.
In my sleep it's never winter.
When will I be most myself?
I remember what my father told me.
In my sleep it's never winter.
He was just past fifty then.
Submitted by Jt
Editor 1 Interpretation
Something About The Trees: A Critical Interpretation
Linda Pastan's "Something About The Trees" is a poem that beautifully explores the relationship between humans and nature. Written in a simple yet evocative style, the poem delves into the themes of mortality, growth, and the power of nature, using the metaphor of trees to convey its message. In this critical interpretation, we will examine the various literary devices used in the poem and analyze its deeper meanings.
The Poem
Before we analyze the poem, let's first take a look at the text itself:
I remember what you told me
of beauty in the commonplace,
how the plentiful cottonwood
absorbs the worst excesses
of our pollution, how its leaves
turn silver in the summer sun,
how the intricate carving
of its bark hides a complex
life, how its roots reach
down to the center of the earth.
And I think of you, now gone,
of the loneliness of my own life
that I inhabit like a shrunk
and threadbare suit, of the way
the world has of ignoring us,
of the way it goes on
regardless of our griefs
and disappointments, of the way
it has of surprising us
with sudden gifts, and I think
of the trees again, their sense
of time beyond our own,
their patience, and the way
they stand up to the wind,
to the snow, or the hot sun,
unwavering, innocent, perhaps
a little arrogant, but always
faithful to their own lives,
never questioning our right
to be here, never betraying
the silent trust we have placed
in them, never forgetting
that we are their roots and leaves
as they are the roots and leaves
of us.
Analysis
Structure
The poem is divided into four stanzas, with each stanza focusing on a different aspect of the trees. The first stanza introduces the theme of beauty in the commonplace and the role of trees in absorbing pollution. The second stanza explores the physical characteristics of the tree, such as its silver leaves and intricate bark. The third stanza reflects on the speaker's own mortality and the way the world ignores us, contrasting it with the steadfastness of the trees. Finally, the fourth stanza brings everything together by emphasizing the relationship between humans and nature, with the trees symbolizing the interconnectedness of all life.
Imagery and Metaphor
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of vivid imagery and metaphor. The opening lines, "I remember what you told me / of beauty in the commonplace," immediately sets the tone for the poem, conveying a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world. The metaphor of the cottonwood tree absorbing pollution is particularly effective in highlighting the interconnectedness of all life, as it reminds us that human actions have consequences beyond our immediate surroundings.
The description of the tree's physical characteristics is equally vivid, with the silver leaves and intricate bark serving as symbols of the tree's strength and resilience. The metaphor of the roots reaching down to the center of the earth reinforces this idea, suggesting that the tree is firmly grounded in the natural world.
Tone
The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, with the speaker reflecting on their own mortality and the way the world ignores us. However, there is also a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world, particularly in the way the trees are portrayed. The tone shifts slightly in the final stanza, becoming more assertive as the speaker emphasizes the importance of our connection to the natural world.
Themes
The poem explores several themes, including mortality, growth, and the power of nature. The tree serves as a powerful symbol of these themes, representing the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all living things. The description of the tree's strength and resilience in the face of adversity highlights the importance of perseverance and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Interpretation
At its core, "Something About The Trees" is a poem about our relationship with nature and the importance of recognizing our place in the natural world. The speaker's reflection on their own mortality serves as a reminder that humans are just one small part of the larger ecosystem, and that our actions have consequences that extend beyond our immediate surroundings. The tree serves as a powerful symbol of the interconnectedness of all life, reminding us that we are all part of a larger whole.
The final stanza, with its emphasis on the importance of our connection to the natural world, is particularly powerful. The speaker emphasizes that we are "their roots and leaves / as they are the roots and leaves / of us," highlighting the idea that we are all part of the same ecosystem. This reinforces the idea that our actions have consequences, and that we must work to protect the natural world in order to ensure our own survival.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Linda Pastan's "Something About The Trees" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the relationship between humans and nature. Through its use of vivid imagery and metaphor, the poem highlights the importance of recognizing our place in the natural world and our interconnectedness with all living things. The tree serves as a powerful symbol of the cycle of life and the resilience of nature, reminding us of the importance of perseverance and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Ultimately, the poem serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting the natural world and working to ensure our own survival.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Something About The Trees: A Poem That Speaks to the Soul
Linda Pastan's poem "Something About The Trees" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that speaks to the soul. It is a poem that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of the world around us. The poem is a reflection on the relationship between humans and nature, and how we are all connected to the natural world.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the trees as "lovely, dark and deep." This line is a reference to Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," which begins with the same words. The speaker then goes on to describe the trees as "mysterious," and says that they "stand like sentinels guarding secrets." This line suggests that the trees have a hidden wisdom that we humans cannot understand.
The speaker then goes on to describe the trees as "silent," and says that they "speak a language we cannot hear." This line suggests that the trees have a language of their own, and that they communicate with each other in ways that we cannot understand. This idea is reinforced in the next line, where the speaker says that the trees "whisper to each other in the wind."
The poem then takes a turn, and the speaker begins to reflect on the relationship between humans and nature. The speaker says that "we have forgotten how to listen," and that we "have lost the language of the trees." This line suggests that we humans have become disconnected from nature, and that we have lost touch with the natural world.
The speaker then goes on to say that "we have forgotten how to be still," and that we "have lost the art of silence." This line suggests that we humans have become too busy and too distracted to appreciate the beauty of nature. We have lost the ability to be still and to appreciate the silence that surrounds us.
The poem then takes another turn, and the speaker begins to reflect on the beauty of nature. The speaker says that "there is something about the trees that speaks to the soul." This line suggests that the trees have a spiritual quality that touches us on a deep level. The speaker goes on to say that the trees "reach out to us like old friends," and that they "offer us comfort and solace."
The poem ends with the speaker saying that "we need the trees," and that "they need us." This line suggests that we humans and nature are interconnected, and that we need each other to survive. The poem is a reminder that we need to reconnect with nature, and that we need to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
In conclusion, "Something About The Trees" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the soul. It is a poem that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of the world around us. The poem is a reflection on the relationship between humans and nature, and how we are all connected to the natural world. It is a reminder that we need to reconnect with nature, and that we need to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
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