TREES

TREES

THIS SHORT POEM by Joyce Kilmer used to be taught to American schoolchildren, and probably still is. There is metaphor (tree) and personification (the tree is human [in fact, female], therefore "hungry," with a "mouth," etc.
     The verses are equally famous as set to a melody, recorded by Mario Lanza, among others. Lanza's recording is a pick-up from his radio broadcast of 1952, sponsored by Coca-Cola. Go here.
    Incidentally, "Joyce" is here a man's name, though it is usually given only to women. Also, this writer should not be confused with the more formidable Irish literary genius, James Joyce.

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                   I THINK THAT I shall never see
            A poem lovely as a tree.
            
            A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
            Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
            
            A tree that looks at God all day,
            And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
            
            A tree that may in summer wear
            A nest of robins in her hair;
            
            Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
            Who intimately lives with rain.
            
            Poems are made by fools like me,
            But only God can make a tree.

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