The Trees - A poem by Philip Larkin


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Philip Larkin - The Trees

The trees are coming into leaf 
Like something almost being said; 
The recent buds relax and spread, 
Their greenness is a kind of grief. 

Is it that they are born again 
And we grow old? No, they die too, 
Their yearly trick of looking new 
Is written down in rings of grain. 

Yet still the unresting castles thresh 
In fullgrown thickness every May. 
Last year is dead, they seem to say, 
Begin afresh, afresh, afresh.

Added: on April 28th, 2005 at 2:06 PM | Viewed: 24207 times | Comments (4)

The Trees - Comments and Information
Poet: Philip Larkin Poem: The Trees Volume: High Windows Year: Published/Written in 1967 Poem of the Day on: Apr 1 2004 Comment 4 of 4, added on October 21st, 2005 at 10:57 AM. I was set to annotate this poem by my a level english teacher and was inspired to start turn a new leaf!! what a refreshing poem! Catherine Green from United Kingdom Comment 3 of 4, added on June 8th, 2005 at 5:07 PM. a dear friend of mine sent me this poem at a sad time in my life. it has given me the inspiration to carry on and look to the future rather than the past. what a beautiful poem indeed, i hope i never lose the essence of what this poem actually means. kev from United Kingdom Comment 2 of 4, added on April 28th, 2005 at 2:06 PM. The first time I heard this poem was when I heard it read out by Andrew Motion yesterday (he was doing a talk at our school). I loved it and Larkin was a very talented poet!!! XXX from United Kingdom More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Trees, has received 4 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Philip Larkin with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
The Trees Volume: High Windows Year: Published/Written in 1967 Last read: 2009-11-20 19:01:30 Poem of the Day on: Apr 1 2004 Viewed 24207 times. Added on April 28th, 2005 at 2:06 PM.

Larkin Info
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