Pine-Trees And The Sky: Evening by Rupert Brooke
I’d watched the sorrow of the evening sky,
And smelt the sea, and earth, and the warm clover,
And heard the waves, and the seagull’s mocking cry.
And in them all was only the old cry,
That song they always sing — “The best is over!
You may remember now, and think, and sigh,
O silly lover!”
And I was tired and sick that all was over,
And because I,
For all my thinking, never could recover
One moment of the good hours that were over.
And I was sorry and sick, and wished to die.
Then from the sad west turning wearily,
I saw the pines against the white north sky,
Very beautiful, and still, and bending over
Their sharp black heads against a quiet sky.
And there was peace in them; and I
Was happy, and forgot to play the lover,
And laughed, and did no longer wish to die;
Being glad of you, O pine-trees and the sky!
Rupert Brooke, 1887 – 1915
—
I am starting my year in poetry by featuring poems that focus on trees — but which also highlight the human emoional and psychological connection to trees. I thought this one was particularly interesting, in that respect.
To find out more about why I’m posting about trees, click on:
A sad poem from Rupert Brooke. Great that the trees cheered him up. I have been walking among the trees just now the shade the leaves underfoot making a soft pathway and the scents of the gum tree bark. Bliss on a hot day. Thank you trees.
Trees are a useful reminder that some things live longer than we do. That can be a real comfort of itself, and also indicates that we have a responsibility not to stuff things up (to use very non-Rupert language).
I look forward to more tree poems, Helen.