Monday Poetry: Trees

CS Lewis once made the point (that I think was given to him by Tolkien), that human beings cannot purely create.  Everything we make is sub-creation.  A unicorn is just a combination of things that already exist put into a new object.

But we cannot invent a new primary color or anything else purely original.

That is what I like about this poem:  Trees.  Kilmer understands this sub-creation and does not rail against it.  Instead Kilmer honors God with meager words to reflect on His greater glory.

TREES
by: Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

 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.