The Trees
Adrienne Rich
The trees inside... ...trees by morning.
Explanation: The women inside the house are
moving out in the world. The world is empty all
these days as there is notrees. They are ready to
move out of their houses to fulfill their primary
purpose i. e. to renew the forest of mankind. There
are no birds to sit and no insects which could hide in
the roots of the tree means they become shelter
less. Even the sun cannot bury its feet in the
shadowNS of the trees. On the contrary, if the trees
were there, they absorb the sunlight, and it seems
that the sunlight has gone into the roots of the tree.
The poet says that this forest is empty for past
many nights but in the morning, it will be full of
women as they are rejuvenating themselves.
All night the roots........ .....tothe clinic doors.
Explanation: The women are trying their level best
to detach themselves from their roots which are
fixed in veranda. The leaves and branches are
creeping towards the glass windows which reflects
the desperation of the women whowant freedom.
The women feel uneasy and restless under the roof
of the house. Now, the time has come to change,
and they want togo out. In next lines, the poetesS
has compared the females to the newly discharged
patients who walk briskly to come out of the clinic
because they don't like to stay there.
Isit inside.,... ..into the rooms.
Explanation:The poetess remains sit in the house
andshe has opened the door towards veranda. She
writes long letters in which she describes her
feelings but not to mention the departure of the
trees from the house, In next lines, she conveys that
like the moon(females)shines at night, the same
way the women are ready to glitter. When the trees
are ready to come out of their houses, the smell of
leaves and lichen seems like a voice and with this
voice, these trees are showing theirfrustration and
desperation to come out.
My head is full.... the tallest oak.
Explanation: The poetess head is full of whispers of
trees whose smell and fragrance like a voice had
entered into poetess mind and imploring her that
they want to go out but tomorrowthese voices will
be silent. The poetess says LISTEN a big change is
coming. The restrictioms are breaking. The women
are coming out even after facing so many hurdles.
Suddenly astrong wind starts blowing, embraces
and welcomes them. It seems like the moon has
broken into pieces. A big, oak tree has come in front
of the moon, and it looks like the moon has
fragmented into pieces and shines. It appears that
the moon is the crown of that oak tree. The real
meaning is that women have come out of their
houses,and everybody willwelcome them.
