The Tree and The Birdies

Hello again. It turns out that I've been writing a lot recently it seems. :) Anyway, this is a pair a of poems that I did for English, but unlike many of my assignments, pretty much the only restrictions on these was that they be short, and contrasting in perspective. So, they are below, and then I will explain some of the nuances I put in them, since I don't want to make anyone work to find them (not that I actually think any of you would, which is actually largely why I'm explaining them ;-)).



The Tree
Now pluck the leaves, build the nest!
Now break the twigs, mustn’t rest!
This tree will do
Until I’m through,
Until next batch
Of eggs does hatch.
On the tree is hardly a leaf,
But enough for me, what a relief!
Barren and brown, before’t does die
I must build my nest, or I will cry!

The Birdies
Upward toward the sky I’ve spread my limbs
And in my leaves the breeze sang gentle hymns.
With leaf and branch I’ve given nest
To many a bird for its rest.
Hundreds at a time would stay
And I would give my leaves away.
But now the time has come for me to fall;
I hope that happiness is what I gave to all.



Alright, as I said before, these poems go together. It is hopefully pretty obvious that the tree in both poems is the same, and that they also occur at the same time. The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is the pace of the poems. The Tree is (hopefully) rather hurried and urgent, almost frantic, while The Birdies is much more flowing, laid back, and reflective. This relates to how focused on the moment the bird is, and how encompassing the thoughts of the tree are.

The next point to notice is how self-centered and heartless the bird is, and how caring and giving the tree is. This is where you would speculate on the relation between being rushed and selfishness, the bird's relation to modern society, what it might represent, and what my views on the subject might be. You could also speculate on what the tree symbolizes. If you are wondering why I'm not saying, there isn't necessarily anything specific that they stand for. You get to interpret and apply as you think is appropriate to the poems.

One last thing I will mention (since it is the last even semi-subtle meaning pointer there is in the set). You may have been confused by the titles of the poems. After all, The Tree is clearly about a birdie, while The Birdies is clearly about the tree. As you may recall, the poems are intended to emphasize the selfishness of the bird, and the generosity of the tree. To this end, the title, "The Tree," is meant to emphasize the they way in which the tree is being abused by the bird. Similarly, "The Birdies," is meant to emphasize the unconditional generosity of the tree toward the birds that live, and have lived, in it.

Well, that is all! I hope you enjoyed them (even if the stuff after was drawn out and boring!) :)

The Owner, Heirron