'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.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Something About The Trees by Linda Pastan: A Critical Interpretation

As a lover of nature and an avid reader of poetry, Linda Pastan’s “Something About The Trees” caught my attention right from the first line. The poem is a beautiful and powerful reflection on the relationship between humans and nature, and the ways in which we often fail to appreciate the beauty and majesty of the natural world. In this literary criticism, I will analyze the poem’s themes, symbolism, and overall structure, exploring its deeper meanings and offering my own interpretation of this stunning work of art.

Themes

One of the most prominent themes in “Something About The Trees” is the idea that humans are often detached from nature, failing to appreciate its beauty and significance. The poem begins with the speaker describing how she has walked through the woods “countless times,” but has only recently begun to truly see the trees:

“I thought that the tree was the gift of green only until I saw the others surging underneath.”

Here, the speaker is acknowledging that she had previously only seen the trees as a “gift” of green leaves, without recognizing the complexity and diversity of life that exists within and around them. It is only through a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature that we can truly value its beauty and significance.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea that nature is a source of spiritual renewal and growth. As the speaker observes the trees, she describes how they “swayed in the wind like the plumes/ of a great horse, and when they surged/ forward like the sea.” This imagery creates a sense of movement and vitality, suggesting that the trees are not just static objects, but living beings that are constantly growing and changing. In this way, the trees become a symbol of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, reminding us of the impermanence of all things and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Finally, “Something About The Trees” also explores the theme of the interconnectedness of all living things. The speaker observes how the trees are “interlocked, knitting in and out/ of each other’s shadows,” and how they “send up their sap/ from the common dark soil.” This imagery suggests that the trees are not just individual beings, but part of a larger ecosystem that is sustained by their interdependence. In this way, the poem reminds us that we are not separate from nature, but rather intimately connected to it, and that our actions can have profound impacts on the world around us.

Symbolism

Throughout “Something About The Trees,” Pastan uses a number of powerful symbols to deepen the poem’s themes and meanings. One of the most prominent symbols is that of the trees themselves, which represent the beauty, complexity, and interconnectedness of nature. As the speaker observes the trees, she is struck by their “balance of power/ patiently growing,” and their ability to “ripple in place.” These descriptions emphasize the strength and resilience of the trees, as well as their symbiotic relationship with the earth and the other living things around them.

Another important symbol in the poem is that of the wind, which represents the forces of change and transformation that are constantly shaping the natural world. As the trees sway in the wind, they become a metaphor for the impermanence of all things, reminding us that nothing in life is fixed or unchanging. In this way, the wind symbolizes the eternal cycle of birth, growth, decline, and renewal that is at the heart of all natural systems.

Finally, the imagery of the “common dark soil” represents the earth as a source of nourishment and sustenance for all living things. As the trees send up their sap from the soil, they become a symbol of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of caring for our planet. This imagery reminds us that the health of the earth is intimately connected to our own wellbeing, and that we must all do our part to protect the natural world that sustains us.

Structure

The structure of “Something About The Trees” is deceptively simple, with each stanza consisting of just three lines. However, this minimalist structure serves to underscore the poem’s themes of simplicity, balance, and harmony. The short, three-line stanzas create a sense of rhythm and symmetry that mirrors the balance and harmony of the natural world. Additionally, the repetition of certain phrases, such as “something about the trees,” creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living things.

The poem’s form is also notable for its use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next. This technique creates a sense of flow and movement within the poem, mirroring the swaying and surging of the trees. Additionally, the use of enjambment serves to emphasize certain phrases or ideas, such as the “balance of power” and the “common dark soil,” drawing the reader’s attention to the most important themes and symbols in the poem.

Interpretation

As a lover of nature and an avid reader of poetry, “Something About The Trees” struck a chord with me on many levels. To me, the poem is a powerful reminder of the beauty and majesty of the natural world, and the ways in which we often fail to appreciate its significance. The speaker’s observation that she had never truly “seen” the trees before is a poignant reminder that sometimes we need to step back and look at the world with fresh eyes, in order to truly appreciate its beauty and complexity.

Additionally, the poem’s themes of interconnectedness and spiritual renewal are deeply resonant, reminding us that we are all part of a larger ecosystem that is sustained by our collective actions. As the trees sway in the wind, they become a metaphor for the impermanence of all things, reminding us to cherish every moment and to be mindful of the impact of our actions on the world around us.

In conclusion, “Something About The Trees” is a beautiful and powerful poem that offers a profound meditation on the relationship between humans and nature. By exploring themes of detachment, renewal, and interconnectedness, Pastan has created a work of art that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving. As a reader and lover of poetry, I cannot recommend this poem highly enough, and I encourage anyone who has not yet read it to do so at once.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Something About The Trees: A Poetic Exploration of Nature and Human Connection

Linda Pastan's "Something About The Trees" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the relationship between humans and nature. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Pastan invites us to reflect on our connection to the natural world and the impact that our actions have on it.

The poem begins with a simple observation: "There is something about the trees / that reminds me of why I am alive." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, suggesting that the trees have a special significance for the speaker. The use of the word "alive" is particularly interesting, as it implies that the speaker sees the trees as a source of vitality and energy.

As the poem continues, we are introduced to a series of metaphors that help to deepen our understanding of the speaker's relationship with the trees. For example, the speaker describes the trees as "great cathedrals" that "hold a silence / that is almost musical." This comparison between trees and cathedrals is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the natural world can be just as awe-inspiring and spiritually significant as man-made structures.

The use of the word "silence" is also significant, as it suggests that the trees have a calming and meditative effect on the speaker. This idea is reinforced in the next stanza, where the speaker describes how the trees "stand like sentinels / guarding the green, / guarding the shade." Here, the trees are portrayed as protectors, providing shelter and shade for other living things.

However, the poem also acknowledges the darker side of human-nature relationships. The speaker notes that "we who are alive need them" and that "they are dying." This recognition of the trees' vulnerability is a reminder that our actions as humans have a direct impact on the natural world. The poem suggests that we have a responsibility to protect and preserve the environment, rather than taking it for granted.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as the speaker reflects on the idea that "we are all dying." This line suggests that the speaker sees a connection between the mortality of humans and the mortality of the trees. It also implies that the speaker sees the natural world as a source of comfort and solace in the face of our own mortality.

Overall, "Something About The Trees" is a beautiful and evocative poem that invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. Through powerful metaphors and vivid imagery, Linda Pastan encourages us to appreciate the beauty and significance of the trees, while also acknowledging our responsibility to protect and preserve the environment. The poem is a reminder that our actions as humans have a direct impact on the world around us, and that we have a duty to act as responsible stewards of the planet.

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