Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's "Thought of Trees" delves into the profound and intricate relationship between trees and human thought, examining how these natural giants have significantly influenced our understanding of the world and our place within it. Through this exploration, Nemerov reveals the symbolic, philosophical, and metaphorical roles that trees play in shaping human consciousness and imagination.

The poem begins by acknowledging a common perception: that trees are silent or whispering witnesses to our lives. This personification suggests that trees observe and perhaps even judge human activities. However, Nemerov quickly expands on this idea, asserting that trees serve as guardians and godfathers to a substantial portion of human thought. This deeper connection goes beyond mere observation; trees have actively shaped our conceptual frameworks and metaphors.

Nemerov references various traditions that regard trees as sacred symbols of the cosmos, moral arbiters, and bearers of golden treasures such as apples, boughs, and fleece. These traditions underscore the reverence with which humanity has historically viewed trees. The poem suggests that trees have played a critical role in forming our understanding of creation and the nature of things, influencing the mind's image of its processes through metaphors like "family tree," "root of the matter," "trunkline," and "branch of the subject." These metaphors illustrate how trees are embedded in our language and thought, providing structural frameworks for understanding complex concepts.

The poem highlights the paradox of trees embodying both order and variety. Citing Alexander Pope's description of Windsor Forest, Nemerov points out that trees, the largest living beings, originate from tiny seeds, symbolizing the mysteries of generation and death. The tree's rootedness in the earth and its flowering in the heavens reflect deep and powerful reflexive propositions about the interconnectedness of different realms. This mirroring of roots and branches complicates and enriches human analogies, suggesting a deeper unity and symmetry within the diversity.

Nemerov further explores how trees symbolize the relationship between the one and the many, cause and effect, generality and particulars. The tree's structure—from many roots through a single trunk to many branches—serves as a metaphor for historical processes and the continuity of life through generations. The relationship between a tree and its leaves speaks to themes of individual and collective identity, mortal endurance, and the passage of time.

The poem delves into the physiological and structural marvels of trees, noting their synchronous living and dying, the liquid transactions of capillarity, and the enduring patterns in their grain. These characteristics embody the paradoxes of life: fluidity within solidity, complexity within simplicity, and the simultaneous existence of order and chaos. Nemerov suggests that trees, through their natural processes, dream of the human mind, influencing our thoughts and imaginations.

Nemerov also reflects on the cultural and architectural influence of trees, noting that since the eighteenth century, cathedrals have reminded people of forests and vice versa. This connection highlights how human creations often mirror natural forms, suggesting an intrinsic link between human and natural architecture. The poem concludes with a powerful image from Melville, emphasizing how trees are intertwined with human endeavors, whether in the construction of buildings or the crafting of ships.

In essence, "Thought of Trees" by Howard Nemerov is a profound meditation on the symbolic and metaphorical significance of trees in human thought. Through its rich imagery and philosophical reflections, the poem underscores how trees have shaped our understanding of the world and our place within it, serving as enduring symbols of life, growth, and interconnectedness. Nemerov's exploration reveals the inexhaustible capacity of trees to inspire and inform human thought, making them fundamental to our imaginative and intellectual landscapes.

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