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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SHEPHERD'S TREE, by JOHN CLARE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Huge elm, with rifted trunk all notched and scarred
Last Line: To leave some fragment of itself behind.
Subject(s): Elm Trees
First Line: Huge elm, with rifted trunk all notched and scarred
Last Line: To leave some fragment of itself behind.
Subject(s): Elm Trees
Huge elm, with rifted trunk all notched and scarred,
Like to a warrior's destiny! I love
To stretch me often on thy shadowed sward,
And hear the laugh of summer leaves above;
Or on thy buttressed roots to sit, and lean
In careless attitude, and there reflect
On times, and deeds, and darings that have been --
Old castaways, now swallowed in neglect;
While thou art towering in thy strength of heart,
Stirring the soul to vain imaginings,
In which life's sordid being hath no part.
The wind of that eternal ditty sings
Humming of future things, that burn the mind
To leave some fragment of itself behind.
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ELM; FOR RUTH FAINLIGHT by SYLVIA PLATH
VELLEN THE TREE by WILLIAM BARNES
THE GREAT ELM by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES