Explication of the Poem "Living Tree"

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In “Living Tree”, by Robert Morgan, the author describes the practice of burying the dead under a tree, which in turn nourishes it and continues the cycle of life. Memory and the passing of a legacy are concepts that can be observed throughout the poem. Life, death and rebirth is the theme of this poem, the idea that a person is more than a body, and can transcend the material realm and continue to live in the memory of future generations. This point is stated in lines 8,9, and 10, where he describes the transfer of the constituent components of his body to a tree. Some part of him seems to want to be remembered by future generations, specifically when he mentions “standing tall with monuments and statues there on a far hill, erect as truth, a testimony”. This statement is revealing because statues and monuments are usually constructed to commemorate something, possibly a person or event, in this case the author 's eventual death. Three elements of this poem that I will be discussing are, tone, imagery, and figurative language. His use of these elements will help to illuminate the point that I will attempt to make in regards to the theme of this poem. The tone of the “Living Tree” shows the reader exactly how the author feels about the subject matter. In the opening you get a sense of his feeling for life and death. He is quite accepting and almost welcoming of the fact. Line 4 starts with; “I like to think that when I’m gone the chemicals and yes the spirit that was me might be searched out by subtle roots and raised with sap through capillaries into an upright, fragrant trunk”, this fragment displays how he almost welcomes the idea of his passing. The poem is quite positive despite the subject matter, no trace of fear can be heard when he speaks of burying the dead. A reason for this could be that he understands that it is a natural and accepted part of life and shouldn 't be viewed as an object of fear. The comfort that he is feeling is likely because, he knows that even if his body is no longer alive his spirit, or vital essence, or what ever concept one could have about life beyond death, ensures that you are never truly gone. 2 Imagery plays an important role in this poem. The author provides vivid descriptions of a tree and its qualities. He is trying to give the reader a sense of the processes involved in cyclical nature of life. The roots reaching down into the earth draw up what is left of his body and use it to nourish itself. This way he becomes a part of nature and the earth, both of which will exist for years to come. The speaker creates an image of a monument to which stands as a grave marker to testify to those that were buried around it and thus they too are also part of the cycle. The use of figurative language helps to get across a complex idea without the need to use a excessive amount of explanatory passages; it is a tool that is used to great effect throughout the poem. The tree itself is likely a metaphor for the cycle of life and the inevitable death of all living things. This is an overarching metaphor that permeates the entire poem and is conveyed in the theme. Some uses of simile include “bright as hoar frost” and “erect as truth”, the first provides more detail to the scene, but the second tells a little more about the authors attitude towards the subject matter. It is another reference to the tree as a type of monument and reconfirms the early statement that it serves as a reminder to all that look upon it; to those that have lived and died. Robert Morgan 's poem speaks to those that may be concerned with dying and fear that when they die, that 's all there will be; nothingness. His poem states the otherwise, and maybe you will not be thoroughly convinced, but should pay heed to his words and try to garner some meaning from his poetry. The fear of death is one that all everyone experiences, therefore it makes for a thought provoking topic, which the author has made good use of. Death being a natural facet of life, affecting all living things is what this poem is about; that being said one should not fear it but embrace it and accept it. That is what I took from this poem and think it is a message worth hearing and learning from.

Works Cited
Morgan, Robert. "Living Tree." By Robert Morgan : The Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, Spring 2012. Web. 12 June 2013.

Cited: Morgan, Robert. "Living Tree." By Robert Morgan : The Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, Spring 2012. Web. 12 June 2013.