in the poem TREE by joyce kilmer, how does the poem affect you? were there previous beliefs that were altered?

Question

in the poem TREE by joyce kilmer, how does the poem affect you? were there previous beliefs and concepts that were chnged or altered after reading the poem?

Answer 1

I love that poem...it signifies trees undaunting role on earth and their superior and stately spendour that everyone admires as they live for hundreds of years and withstand so much from the environment, and man especially.
His(Kilmer's) rendering of their existence is simply beautiful and describes their purpose which ultimately helps all living, breathing things alive as well as astounds us with their beauty.
*little trivia note* Joyce Kilmer was the 2nd cousin of the actor Val Kilmer, which I hadn't realized until a few years ago.

Answer 2

I memorized that poem in school 48 years ago.

It is even more relevant now than it was then. I was just a kid and grew up to be an environmentalist and was arrested twice in defence of our forests. Perhaps it did effect me.

I have always thought of the earth as a female giving sustenance to those who walk upon her. I have never questioned where my innate love and appreciation of the forests came from but perhaps this was a contributing factor.

I do know that when next I raise my arms to the sun, I will remember that trees sway and reach for the sun each day. He humanized the tree from birth to adulthood and so people can also relate to the writing.

This poem gives me peace and reminds me of the many forests, especially those of my youth. I know that the first few lines I have said hundreds of times over my life when I was in awe of some of the behemoth trees where I now live.

It is a humbling poem. I know I taught my children to not even stomp on ants because they could not recreate what they killed, that was God's power only.

SO, although I read this poem so long ago, I would say it has been part of my consciousness all that time.

Thanks for the refresher in that traditional poem.

Just for fun, my favourite quote for the past few years has been this:

Today's oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.