Poems About Trees (Everyman's Library POCKET POETS)

This is the 14th volume in the "Pocket Poets" series I've read. I really like them. This collection is similar to the others: some poems I like, some are OK, and some not so much. My favorite poem in this book is Ellen Bryant Voight's "Landscape, Dense with Trees" where the poet describes her childhood home and the way her father "sacrificed the yard to shade" by planting many trees. You feel the love of trees and the heat of summer vibrantly in this poem. A second favorite is Nancy Willard's "When There Were Trees" which describes a time when trees were worshipped and "I walked among trees,/the most beautiful things I had ever seen." Finally William Meredith's "Tree Marriage" is sublime as the poet suggests that humans should marry trees when they marry each other. It's just a lovely notion conveyed in a lovely poem. There weren't too many clinkers in this volume. Lee Gerlach's "Ghazal" had too much silly poet wordiness. John Clare's "To A Fallen Elm" was much too prolix and old-timey for my tastes. Most of the poems in this book are just OK but are still a pleasure to read if you love trees as I do. Recommended.

I like this series. Books just the right size to put in my pocket to read on a trip. But this one on trees is very well chosen and makes for good browsing. An excellent collection and so one of the best in this series. A great addition to my collection.

A yl

I love poetry. I expected more from this book. Given the majesty of the tree.

I sent this to a friend who was going thru a difficult time. She loves the poems so much it made a huge difference in her mood and demeanor. The poems are a wonderful collection about the all mighty tree. I may get a copy for myself.