Poetry & Analysis
Selected Poems
Nature PoemsTrees
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet 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.
Overview Short Summary
The poem praises the beauty and spiritual dignity of a tree. It is a simple, famous nature poem suitable for students and kids.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Trees: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- beauty: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- faith: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- simplicity: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is humble and admiring, with a warm, devotional mood.
Rain
The rain is raining all around,
It falls on field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here,
And on the ships at sea.
Overview Short Summary
This very short poem observes rain falling everywhere, from trees to ships. It is ideal for short nature poems for kids and classroom use.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Rain: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- weather: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- simple observation: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- childhood: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is simple and calm, with a fresh everyday mood.
The Swing
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
Overview Short Summary
A child on a swing sees rivers, trees, cattle, gardens, and rooftops from above. The poem gives a bright outdoor view of nature through a child’s excitement.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Childhood: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- outdoor play: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- countryside: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- joy: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is delighted and playful, with an energetic, happy mood.
Autumn Fires
In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
Overview Short Summary
The poem celebrates autumn as a season with its own brightness after summer flowers have gone. It is a good short poem about seasons and nature.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Autumn: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- seasons: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- change: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- childlike joy: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is cheerful and musical, with a cozy autumn mood.
The Moon
The moon has a face like the clock in the hall;
She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
On streets and fields and harbour quays,
And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.
The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
The howling dog by the door of the house,
The bat that lies in bed at noon,
All love to be out by the light of the moon.
But all of the things that belong to the day
Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
And flowers and children close their eyes
Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.
Overview Short Summary
The moon lights animals, streets, fields, and gardens while daytime things sleep. This is a simple and memorable night-nature poem.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Moon: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- night: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- animals: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
- children: This theme helps connect the poem’s natural image with its wider emotional or reflective meaning.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is playful and gentle, with a dreamy nighttime mood.
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