Two 'B' words in one poem


Truly, I am grateful that I had to memorize Joyce Kilmer's poem when I was in 4th grade. I still know it by heart.

But reciting it in front of the class? With all those boys just waiting for me to say the "B" words? Wicked, wicked teacher!

Somehow, I survived the day of dread. And while I don't climb trees like the monkey I was then, I have been known to gawk at them, especially when the sun is setting.

We're fortunate to still have some elms in our little village, and this one stopped me in my tracks recently. Everything seems illuminated and framed now that I tote my new little point-and-shoot.

I have Gracie from Gracie Who? to thank for the courage to post my own shot.

Trees
By Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's 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.

Image by me! (Wish I knew how to make it bigger!)

Comments

Pyzahn said…
Oh, Yay. You got your camera. That's a wonderful tree photo. I'm looking forward to more snapshots of your life.

And I understand your horror at saying those dreadful "b" words in front of the other "b" word -- boys!
Grace Albaugh said…
You must always have courage to show your own work. It gives us a piece of you as a gift.

Also one of my favorite poems.
Unknown said…
What are you talking about, that's a great shot!
~ ennui ~ said…
I love seeing what others see through their lens...isn't that what this is all about? Thank you for sharing and now I see what you see. How beautiful is that?
Linda B. said…
I love looking at people's photos. You captured it in its glowing glory with that lighting. I can only remember the first line of "Trees." Having heard the weather forecast, I fear rain beating upon your head tomorrow unlike sunny and mid-80's elsewhere.
Joanna said…
I think it's a terrible thing that teachers used to have children recite this poem in class. Surely they were aware how mortifying it would be to kids (either boys or girls). Somehow I'd remembered only the first two lines of this poem (which I thought were silly) but I do love the image of the nest of robins in her hair.

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