"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree..."
from "TREES" by Joyce Kilmer
I grew up with this poem. In my family we all read poetry, we all wrote poetry. The first time I ever remember hearing this poem is when I was very young and our family was getting away for a day of pleasure. As we drove up the mountain road we were watching all the beautiful trees in the forest and my Mother was explaining about "The beauty of Nature". Then her voice took on a different tone that somehow compelled me to listen closely. Everyone was silent and listening in wonder as my Mother began to quote "Trees". Her voice was beautiful and I remember knowing at that time that I would always love trees, as well as that poem. Throughout the years, my love for trees has lasted and even grown stronger. Many times in stressful situations in my life, I have turned to this poem and it always kind of puts things in perspective for me. Trees are such a miracle and we are blessed with so many of them and the shelter, shade and sustenance they provide, whether in the forests or in our yards.In this poem, Joyce Kilmer certainly makes us realize that trees are living things and that God created them for our pleasure. What a wonderful gift for us and what a wonderful person Joyce Kilmer must have been to be able to explain so eloquently the magnificance of a tree...a true gift from God.
Good memory from your childhood. That is a beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteLaila,
ReplyDeleteSo is this your lifeline? It's a great poem to live by. I know that when I moved out here to Oregon from the East Coast, I was astounded by the trees out here--they are majestic and they do remind us that our lives are fleeting, and there is something bigger than us.