The poem asks the question Can You Imagine? This is usually connotated with a negative feeling, but I like that when Oliver asks this question, she derives from an idea of happiness and patience. The poem explores what it would be like to be in the shoes of a tree. Just standing in nature through all seasons with only birds for entertainment and the wind to carry anything new to the area. I love how Oliver uses her poetry to link nature with the human experience. Her method of using questions is her way of communicating with us, her viewers. Oliver challenges the reader to think with a big-picture mindset. She says, “Surely you can’t imagine they just stand there loving every minute of it.” I find it interesting that she expands on solitude and enjoying small moments.
Just by reading Oliver’s poem, you can tell she has a deep relationship with nature, specifically everyday, mundane nature. Her perspective of typical nature scenes is captivating to make them relatable to her audience because we all have thought these questions or have wondered what it would be like to be in another form. In my opinion, Oliver’s description of a tree being in patience and happiness does seem like a dream as humans are constantly on the move, enduring their everyday lives.
Overall, this poem lives in the feelings and thoughts of a tree, and I laughed when reading it because I may have imagined what it would be like to be a tree. Mary Oliver has a distinct way of personifying the nature around her and noting her experiences. These tactics make her writing understandable, reflective, and enjoyable.
No comments:
Post a Comment