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.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Kilmer argues that human poetry is limited compared to the natural perfection and spiritual depth of a tree.
- In plain terms
- Trees are more beautiful and meaningful than any poem a person can write.
- What can you take from it?
- Nature possesses a divine quality that human art cannot fully replicate.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What natural object inspires you most?
- Can art ever equal nature?
Another view
The poem relies on a specific religious worldview that may not resonate with secular readers.
More from Joyce Kilmer
In a wood they call the Rouge Bouquet, There is a new-made grave today, Built by never a spade nor pick, Yet covered with earth ten meteres thick. There lie ma…
Permalink to quote #2 Yes, God forgives and men forget, And you're forgiven and forgotten. You might be gaily sinning yet And quick and fresh instead of rotten. And when you think o…
Permalink to quote #4 At present, I am a poet trying to be a soldier. To tell the truth, I am not interested in writing nowadays, except in so far as writing is the expression of so…
Permalink to quote #1
Related quotes
No one has a monopoly of the true God, nor is there a nation or religion that can claim, or at any rate prove, that it has been given the exclusive right to th…
Jose RizalJose Rizal quote #18 Nid ydyw Duw mor greulon Ag y dywaid hen ddynion. Ni chyll Duw enaid gwr mwyn, Er caru gwraig na morwyn. Tripheth a gerir drwy'r byd: Gwraig a hinon ac iechyd.…
Dafydd ap GwilymDafydd ap Gwilym quote #1 O singers, resinous and soft your songs Above the sacred whisper of the pines, Give virgin lips to cornfield concubines, Bring dreams of Christ to dusky cane-l…
Jean ToomerJean Toomer quote #2