Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Louis Simpson's poem "The Laurel Tree" is a multi-layered meditation on nature, philosophy, history, and the spiritual interconnectedness of life. Through the recurring imagery of the laurel tree and the poet's reflections on various experiences and thoughts, the poem explores the tensions between thought and sensation, tradition and change, and the visible and the invisible. The poem is divided into five distinct sections, each offering a unique perspective on these themes while maintaining an underlying unity through the symbol of the tree.

In the first section, the laurel tree is presented as a dark, protective presence that shadows the poet's house, offering a sense of shelter and connection to the natural world. The tree's arms are described as lifting "in the anguish / Of nature at the stake," suggesting both a spiritual suffering and a resilience in the face of destruction. The image of the laurel quivering with tears at night, likened to "the tree called Tasso’s," introduces a historical and literary dimension. The reference to Tasso, the Italian poet whose life was marked by suffering and madness, deepens the sense of the tree as a symbol of endurance and emotional torment. The comparison to Tasso’s tree, "Crippled, and hooped with iron," evokes the image of a tree that has been physically constrained and yet continues to stand, much like the poet's own struggle with internal and external forces.

The second section shifts to a more philosophical reflection, questioning the existence of an "anarchist tradition" in California and the paradox of an anarchist desiring tradition at all. This section contrasts the idea of philosophical or intellectual traditions with the natural, opinion-less existence of a tree. The poet longs for "a life of sensations / Rather than thoughts," expressing a desire to move away from the constraints of intellectualism toward a more direct, sensory experience of the world. The trees, like "the girls in our neighborhood," are "beautiful and silent," representing an ideal of beauty and simplicity, untouched by the complications of human thought.

In the third section, the poem takes a more global and historical turn, as the poet imagines a man in China and a profound, silent exchange between them. This man, who points to hills "covered with armed men," symbolizes the collective movements of people and the seismic shifts in history. The tree, once a symbol of individual growth and protection, is now "as one man," moving in unison with the collective will of a people rising against oppression. The earth trembling as "a race of slaves is leaving" suggests the powerful force of liberation and the profound changes that occur when oppressed people unite and take action.

The fourth section introduces a memory of war, specifically the Korean War, as the poet recalls the harsh conditions at the Chosin Reservoir and the collective trauma experienced by soldiers. The poet draws a parallel between his own experiences and those of the Chinese man, suggesting that war and violence create a shared, though dark, human experience. The image of "the entrails of a bomb breathing" and the darkness that follows conveys the devastation of war and the erasure of individual identity in the face of mass destruction. The poet's call to "Let us speak to each other" and the image of a bird flying over the heads of armed men symbolizes a yearning for communication and understanding that transcends violence and division.

The final section returns to the image of the tree, now divided into its visible and hidden parts. The roots, which have "broken through the wall" of the cellar, represent the unseen forces of life that persist even in the most unpromising environments. The poet’s exploration of these roots, alongside the discarded remnants of modern life—automobile fenders and ketchup bottles—suggests that even the most mundane objects can be the beginning of something greater, something "not visible to the naked eye." The reference to Tobit, a figure from the Bible whose faith was rewarded with divine intervention, implies that these hidden forces have a spiritual significance, that they are "spiritual messengers" delivering meaning in ways that may not be immediately apparent.

"The Laurel Tree" is a complex and richly symbolic poem that invites readers to consider the interconnectedness of nature, history, and spirituality. Through its exploration of the laurel tree as a central symbol, the poem reflects on the resilience of life in the face of suffering, the tensions between thought and sensation, and the hidden forces that shape our existence. Simpson’s use of varied imagery—from the personal and local to the global and historical—creates a tapestry of ideas that challenges readers to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper currents that run through life.

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