When I was in grade school we were expected to memorize the poem Trees, by Joyce Kilmer. It was during 4th grade, I think. I sat at my desk reading the words over and over. Then I would close my eyes and try to recall one sentence at a time, peeking down at my paper each time I needed a prompt. Silently starting at the beginning of the poem again each time I had mastered a new line. Closing my eyes over and over and mouthing the words silently until I had memorized the entire poem.
In 4th grade, when I was 9-10, the emotion behind these words were lost on me. The poem was strictly an assignment. A task that I needed to work through until complete. When I was finished, we moved on to a different assignment.
Today, the words and the meaning behind the words are not lost on me. Especially at this time of year. In autumn when the trees are so full of beauty and rich color, the words to this poem wash over you and fill you with a feeling of gratitude and appreciation for all of God’s wonderful gifts to us. I’m so grateful for the beauty of autumn and for the sense of renewal that goes hand in hand with this beautiful season.
The trees seem to be at their peak color in the Midwest right now. My favorite season. Fall. It’s like floating over a carpet of bursting, vibrant colors every time you walk out your front door.
Trees
I think that I shall never see
a poem as lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
against the sweet earth’s 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.
– Joyce Kilmer (1856-1918)
Being Margaret 
Thank you for reminding me of this poem. I only remembered the first line I learned in school but when I read it, oh my what a beauty. I love trees! I have fall pictures on my wallpaper playlist so that I get to enjoy the fall in pictures. We don’t get the lustrous beauty much here in Texas but are moving to Colorado where we will have so much beauty in the trees and mountains. I wish I could imprint this poem on my brain and take it out and enjoy it over and over again. Thanks Margaret, for bringing so much beauty into our lives. Just thinking of you makes me feel at peace.
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Thank you for your kind words, Patricia! I think this is one of my very favorite poems. Ever. And, revisiting it during Autumn makes it that much more special.
I hope you get over your case of the blues/homesickness. Changes are hard for everyone. Hang in there!
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I think maybe you misunderstood. We haven’t moved yet. I am excited to get to Colorado. December can’t come soon enough.
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This was beautiful. I am currently in California where the drought has taken the life and beauty out of so much of the land. I left my home in Colorado mere weeks before the Fall colors began to pop. This expressed my feelings and made me homesick all at once. Your writing is powerfully descriptive.
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Thank you, Jody! My husband and I have been to California several times the past few years and saw for ourselves the damage the drought has caused. I hope and pray that it ends soon.
LOVE Colorado!!! In my opinion it’s one of the most beautiful states in the U.S.
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I agree about Colorado! I’m madly in love with it there. Again, love your posts and photos!
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Lovely poem, lovely photos. I had to learn the poem too, but promptly forgot all but the first line. sd
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Thank You, sd. I wonder if EVERYONE had to learn the poem. It seems I hear that from so many people. It’s a good one. That’s for sure. I couldn’t remember it word for word so it was so nice stumbling upon it this week.
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I learned that poem as a child, remember some and am vowing to put it to memory again. Thanks for the beautiful reminder.
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Ha! read my reply above your comment. 🙂
Im so grateful that I was forced to memorize it wayyyy back in the olden days. 😉 Thank you for your kind comment.
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Trees are wonderful, I can’t imagine life without them. Love the gorgeous photos!
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Thank you, Eliza! I do love living in the Midwest where the trees gift us with such gorgeous colors each fall and with such beautiful blooms each spring. They are wonderful blessings.
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Thanks for having us revisit this poem. I’d forgotten half of it, and was surprised how varied it is visually.
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You’re welcome. I also had forgotten much of what I had memorized years and years ago of this poem. I was so pleased to stumble upon it this week.
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Amen! My favorite season also!
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I bet if we took a poll, I bet it would come out on top of most ppl’s fav month. 🙂
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For me it was in the 5th grade we learned the poem. Do you remember the song made to go with the words?
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But all that exercise in memorization did leave an indelible print of those memorised words and lines in the mind, didn’t they?
And as one grew older, those words and lines got linked to our experiences, thoughts, feelings and prejudices to make us that rich tapestry of uniqueness that we have wound up becoming…….
Shakti
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I love Trees obviously, and your post is so appropo.. Joyce Kilmer National Forest is close to where I live, and is a very lovely place. I hope you have had the opportunity to visit there. Very magical Margaret. Thank you for sharing. Happy Autumn! ~ Anita
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I love trees of all kinds, even bare ones. I love the fall colours and you posted some great pics here…. 🙂
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Thank you for reminding this Poem. As far as I remember, I was on Grade school when our teachers gave us 1 week to memorize this poem and recited it in front of class 1 by 1. haha. I can’t forget that. And now, I read this poem again, I realized that this poem is so lovely. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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