"On Killing A Tree" Poem by Gieve Patel
"On Killing A Tree Poem"
by Gieve Patel
Not a simple jab of the knife
Will do it. It has grown
Slowly consuming the earth,
Rising out of it, feeding
Upon its crust, absorbing
Years of sunlight, air, water,
And out of its leperous hide
Sprouting leaves.
So hack and chop
But this alone wont do it.
Not so much pain will do it.
The bleeding bark will heal
And from close to the ground
Will rise curled green twigs,
Miniature boughs
Which if unchecked will expand again
To former size.
No,
The root is to be pulled out -
Out of the anchoring earth;
It is to be roped, tied,
And pulled out - snapped out
Or pulled out entirely,
Out from the earth-cave,
And the strength of the tree exposed,
The source, white and wet,
The most sensitive, hidden
For years inside the earth.
Then the matter
Of scorching and choking
In sun and air,
Browning, hardening,
Twisting, withering,
And then it is done.
Summary,
"On Killing a Tree" is a poem by Indian poet Gieve Patel. It offers a vivid and ironic portrayal of how deeply rooted and resilient nature is, specifically focusing on the act of cutting down a tree. The poem is a critique of human cruelty towards nature and highlights the deep connection between life and the environment.
The poem describes the process of killing a tree in detail, emphasizing that it’s not an easy task. A tree cannot be killed by merely cutting it down; it has deep roots and can grow back if left alone. The poet explains that to truly kill a tree, one must completely uproot it, exposing its roots to sunlight and air, which ultimately dries and withers it.
The poem begins by stating that merely hacking or chopping a tree will not kill it. The tree has grown slowly over many years, drawing nourishment from the earth. It has absorbed sunlight, air, and water, which have made it robust and resilient. Even if the bark is cut, the tree can heal itself and continue to grow.
To truly kill the tree, it requires more than superficial harm. The roots, which are the source of its strength and vitality, must be pulled out entirely. The poet describes this process in detail, illustrating how the tree is uprooted from the earth, exposing the roots that were hidden and protected underground.
Once the roots are exposed, they are left to dry under the sun and in the air. This exposure drains the life out of the tree, turning it brown and brittle. The process is slow and thorough, ensuring that the tree can no longer regenerate.
The poem concludes with the finality of death, indicating that the tree is now irreversibly destroyed. This ending highlights the extent of human intervention required to kill something as enduring and resilient as a tree.
Themes in "On Killing a Tree" by Gieve Patel:
1. Resilience of Nature
- The poem highlights the strong and enduring nature of a tree. It shows how difficult it is to destroy something so deeply rooted in the earth. The tree's ability to heal itself and continue growing even after being cut symbolizes nature's resilience and capacity for regeneration.
2. Human Destruction of Nature
- The poem serves as a critique of human actions that lead to the destruction of nature. It portrays the deliberate and violent process required to kill a tree, reflecting the extensive harm humans cause to the environment. The act of uprooting the tree can be seen as a metaphor for humanity’s relentless exploitation of natural resources.
3. Interconnectedness of Life
- The poem underscores the interconnectedness between the tree and its environment. The tree draws nourishment from the earth, air, water, and sunlight, symbolizing how all life forms are interconnected and dependent on one another for survival.
4. Violence and Cruelty
- The detailed description of killing a tree evokes a sense of violence and cruelty. The poem draws a parallel between the physical act of killing a tree and the broader theme of human insensitivity towards nature. This violence is portrayed as both unnecessary and brutal.
5. Irreversibility of Destruction
- By emphasizing the need to uproot the tree completely and expose its roots to sunlight and air, the poem highlights the finality and irreversibility of destruction. Once a tree is uprooted and left to wither, it cannot regenerate, symbolizing the permanent damage caused by human intervention.
6. Irony and Satire
- The poem uses irony and satire to criticize the human tendency to destroy nature. The detailed, almost instructional tone on how to kill a tree contrasts with the underlying message that such destruction is thoughtless and harmful. The title itself is ironic, as it suggests a guide, but the content critiques the act of killing.
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