Trees
I 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.
Commentary
This is not, if you think about it, a particularly good poem. The imagery is trite, the phrasing adds nothing to it, and the verse is very hard to read without degenerating into a singsong effect. Yet there’s something about it - some compelling quality that has made it famous, recited and memorized by generations of schoolchildren, instantly recognizable, and with opening and closing couplets quoted by people who have never even heard of the rest of the poem. I just wish I knew what it was :)
— Martin
Biography
Kilmer, (Alfred) Joyce
b. Dec. 6, 1886, New Brunswick, N.J., U.S.
d. July 30, 1918, near Seringes, Fr.
American poet known chiefly for his 12-line verse entitled “Trees.”
He was educated at Rutgers and Columbia universities. His first volume of verse, Summer of Love (1911), showed the influence of William Butler Yeats and the Irish poets. After his conversion to Catholicism, Kilmer attempted to model his poetry upon that of Coventry Patmore and the 17th-century Metaphysical poets. His most famous poem, “Trees,” appeared in Poetry magazine in 1913. Its immediate and continued popularity has been attributed to its combination of sentiment and simple philosophy. His books include Trees and Other Poems (1914); The Circus and Other Essays (1916); Main Street and Other Poems (1917); and Literature in the Making (1917), a series of interviews with writers. Kilmer joined the staff of The New York Times in 1913. In 1917 he edited Dreams and Images, an anthology of modern Catholic poetry. Kilmer was killed in action during World War I and was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre.
– EB
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From the Wondering Minstrels mailing list, 1999–2008.
Sandy and Paula Tesch · 2 January 2000
Hey I just wanted to let you know that the 2nd line is not “A poem as lovely as a tree” and the correct version is “A poem lovely as a tree.” Many people make that mistake. Feel free to e-mail me back if you want to.
Sandy Tesch
g and l · 8 October 2000
It was my favorite poem as a child. It tells more about God and the Universe in a few lines than philosophers can tell in volumes. Glen Lyda
David Frost · 10 October 2000
The poem is like a childhood friend, lost from thought sometimes, but never forgotten.
juliet · 20 December 2000
It doesn’t matter that it’s trite. Nor that it’s about God and the Universe, if you like. It’s the sound of the first lines that make it memorable…Not everything in poetry is about meaning. Part of the impact in the poem is the resonance of the sounds themselves.
Suchitra Kumar · 6 March 2001
Hi,
I just looked in to see whether you had a Wodehouse reference along with this poem.
There are always effeminate(I assumed) men in Wodehouse books who make women swoon by singing “Trees”. I was a little surprised when I discovered that the song was based on this poem.
A nice line from ‘Quick Service’ goes:
“When a man singing ‘Trees’ meets a man singing ‘Old Man River’, something has to give.”
<grin>
- Suchitra
Hr Strasburg · 28 April 2001
I learned this poem in about 4th grade and have loved it for 60 years. It is an absolutely beautiful, simple reading. My love affair with trees has gone on for at least that long a time, too. As I look out my window I see (in reality) a robin building a nest in a plum tree. There is a spirit within a tree and I believe that Joyce Kilmer felt that spirit. Joan Strasburg, Springfield, MO
Albert Fields · 8 August 2001
KIlmer’s “Trees” is eternally beautiful. I keep coming back to read it again.
Al Fields
Helen Burchfield · 17 August 2001
I recalled the opening line for years it made such a lasting impression.. I recently tried to recite it for a grandchild. I could not get past the first line. Haunted by the memory I was determined to find it. It say everything I feel but have lacked the ability to express. Helen
Redwingbilly · 16 December 2001
The poem Trees, has been our school poem at Forest school, in Forest Louisiana for seventy years or more. Few of us can recall our pledge or song but most remember “Trees.” There’s something eternal expressed in this simple poem, maybe the one who made the trees understands it best.
Billy McGaha
Monroe, La.
Billy red wing
almagill · 2 February 2002
Suchitra said:
“A nice line from ‘Quick Service’ goes:
“When a man singing ‘Trees’ meets a man singing ‘Old Man River’, something has to give.”
<grin>”
That’ll be Paul Robeson then…. as for ‘trite’ you really have to hear him singing it. AWESOME
– almagill
ARSW9NYU · 11 March 2002
I learned this poem almost 60 years ago and it is one I will never forget. We sang it as a song in the early grades of PS 18. I think it may be because even an 8 year old can understand it that many of us remember it.
Allan Tracy · 2 May 2002
From Alan Tracy, kbrown04@snet .net:
One has to wonder how often Kilmer thought of this poem during his last days.
Days spent on the tree-less landscape of the Western Front of the “War to End All WARs.”
Joylina Goodings · 7 June 2002
As someone has already said Paul Robson’s version of this poem is awesome. It also happens to be my favorite song in the world. I would very much like to know if it has ever been recorded by a female vocalist or even a corus, I can’t manage Paul Robson’s key unfortunately and would love to be able to sing this song with friends and family as it really is the most beautiful poem. It touched my heart when I was young and I have never looked at trees the same way since.
Agnes Ann Maher · 11 June 2002
I attended a neighborhood meeting last evening, and one of the main items we discussed was our tree preservation policy in our city . One of our city councilors gave his presentation on trees, and one of his goals was our city having annual re-certification as a recognized Tree City USA. This presentation will also be given at our City Council Meeting this evening.
All the way home from the meeting last evening I could not get the poem “Trees” out of my mind. I learned this poem as a child many years ago, but what bothered me most was I could not remember all 12 lines.
Thank you for bring back such lovely memories of my childhood.
Chicky6 · 19 June 2002
My grandmother heard the song version when she was a little girl and has been looking for the music ever since. She will soon be turning 80 and I would love to be able to find the sheet music so that I may play it for her. She would love it so much. Please e-mail me if you have any info on where I might be able to find it. Thank you.
Waranowitz Ben · 10 September 2002
This is the favorite poem of my dog.
- Ben Waranowitz
Gus Tseo · 24 September 2002
I wasn’t educated in this country. I only learned recently this poem from a song by Charles Thomas(40’s), better than Robeson’s. I love that song and this poem, beautifull and simple.
Chesil · 11 December 2002
The poem was first published in Poetry and magazine and even their foreign correspondent, Ezra Pound, who was not noted for his liking of sentimental verse thought it wasn’t too bad.
Glenda J. Conover · 6 January 2003
Good Morning, I have been reading some comments on what people had to say about the poem “TREES.” I noticed that you asked where you could get the sheet music for the song. Did you ever find out any information on it? I would appreciate it if you could give me any information. Thank you and have a great day. Glenda.
Glenda J. Conover /
DSTOLSIG · 2 February 2003
I think this is a really great peom Joyce! i Am related to Joyce.For my culture Faire Project im doing it on her and roger sherman an other one of our relatives. anyways great poem!
André Alexei Quillen · 3 April 2003
I’m an engineer, not a word poet, but I thought Juliet’s response was poetry:
Paraphrased from: juliet <julietjuliet@>
It doesn’t matter that it’s trite.
Nor that it’s about God and the Universe,
if you like.
It’s the sound of the first few lines
that make it noteworthy, memorable
and the like.
Not all of poetry is in the meaning.
Much of the impact is the resonance
of the sounds.
Claude Evans · 4 April 2003
This is in response to the comments of “Ken Patton”………….
The world is populated with idiots. Also “smart alecs” who attempt to denigrate the creations of those among us whose superior intellect allows them to leave “a thing of beauty and a joy forever” for all of us to venerate and enjoy.
Nice try, Ken. You may have better luck dissecting Wordsworth’s “Daffodils”.
Cordially,
Claude Evans
Liz · 5 April 2003
My mother passed away on January 1, 2003. The one thing I will miss the most is hearing her sing the songs from her childhood. She was born in
1919. I grew up hearing songs no longer in print. I would love to have a copy of the sheet music for this poem.
I now work at a retirement home and the other day I was taken by surprise when a resident I was talking to suddenly started to sing this poem. I would love to be able to play it for her on the piano. I’m sure she would love to hear it again.
Thank you for any help you out there can give me. E-Mail me at if you can send me a copy or let me know how I can obtain a copy.
John & Vicki Thompson · 11 May 2003
To Whom it May Concern,
I too would be interested in the sheet music to the Poem “Trees”. If it is available please email it to me. Thank you very much.
Jay Thompson
Dinah · 3 June 2003
I hadn’t really thought a the poem “Trees” in a long while, & while playing a game, with some whose name was trees, I came to recite the 1st line. Not able to recall the 2nd line led me here.
As you recite the poem, you can imagine the trees lifting their branches to God. Thank you for the memory.
joeshalfsister
John Warlow · 11 June 2003
I saw your note asking for the sheet music to the poem “Trees”. I also work at a retirement facility and one of our residents would like to sing this at her sisters funeral this week. Were you able to obtain the sheet music and if so would it be possible to get a copy of it. My e-mail address isand my fax number isI would greatly appreciate it if you could help me with this request. Thank you for your time.
Z16CHEVELLEGUY · 19 June 2003
My father learned this poem as a child in the mid 30s. it was his favorite poem and I can remember hearing him repeat it many times. The song had a special place with my dad and I had the first line inscribed on his gravestone. Larry
Nerakfish · 21 June 2003
Subj: sheet music for “Trees”
This e-mail is for Chicky6. I have no idea how old your message is requesting sheet music for “Trees” – also I’m not sure which song version you’re looking for because apparently there are a few – BUT – go to musicnotes.com and type in Oscar Rasbach under “artist.” Sheet music for his version is available!
MPlath5 · 5 August 2003
Thanks for having the poem available. It’s not exactly ‘ver batum’ & I suggest you check out the original wording. By the way, pass along the the girl that says she is related to ‘Joyce Kilmer’ that Joyce Kilmer is a man. OK. Thanx
Mike
Joann Purcell · 10 August 2003
Did you ever find the “Music” to the poem Trees?? My mother wants me to find the song Please advise TK JoAnn Marie Purcell
Laraine Maltby Smith · 7 October 2003
My dad used to sing at home when I was a young girl in the 1940s & one of my favourite songs was Trees. He had a voice like Mario Lanza. At the time I didn’t understand the words but I loved how the song sounded. Even back I think I sensed the beauty of the words. It was enjoyable reading the comments. Laraine Maltby Smith ~ Ontario
Maria Tribunella · 17 November 2003
Dear Joylina,
I caught your message on a poetry site. Joyce Kilmer’s “Trees” is so beautiful and I heard a rendition of it by a chorus somewhere on the Net but can’t find that site anymore. Have you found any answers to your quest? If so would you mind writing back to me. Where would I find the song versions?
Thanks so much
Mary
Rita Dunlap · 10 February 2004
The first time that I heard the poem was while listening to a Julianna Hatfield CD. She used it in the chorus of one of her songs, and I was so drawn to it, that I researched it to find out where it came from. Unfortunately, I have not read any of Kilmer’s other work, but I would love to find the time to do that really soon.
info · 20 May 2004
JOYCE KILMER’S TREES
I think that I have never read
A poem as bourgeois or as dead.
The perfect rhyme that ends each verse
Doth make them lively as a hearse;
Within each stanza nothing’s said
Each image soars like lumps of lead.
With hyperbolic metaphor
Each four-foot line is such a bore.
A poem that many think is sweet
The ancients say is not discreet.
Poems are made by fools ‘tis true
But only Joyce could write such goo.
Written 6 March 1970 – UWM
by
Everett M. Ellestad
B.S., M.A., M.A.
(P.S. This was for a critical class on poetry – I got an “A”)
Ddcuzinpc · 18 October 2004
I think it is one of the best Poems I have read. Also a beautiful song.
JUST LISTEN WITH OPEN EARS!!
Thank You Joyce
Shameen Miranda · 15 January 2005
Hey I dont know whether this gesture will be appreciated,but I just loved the poem TREES and read your comments on it and wanted to let someone know.Sorry if I have inconvenience you!
Shamayne(India)
Ball Lorrie A · 16 February 2005
I was in grade school when I learned this poem. I was told it was the most beautiful poem ever written. Over the years I forget some of the lines but I will never forget how it made me feel. I will memorize “Trees” again and never forget it.
Mrs BallArsenec
Paul & Shannon Davis · 1 April 2005
Did you ever find some sheet music for the poem/song ‘Trees?’
Thanks,
Shannon
Joan robertsmaher · 19 April 2005
Ever find the sheet music? My Dad, now 83 + , also was a student of the poem in North Dakota years back, and can still recite it.
I hope to get a book about trees published, and that project let me back to this memory of his!
Joan
e-mail best @
B * · 8 June 2005
To all of the simplistic elitists who denigrate this poem and it’s simple rhyming verse. I might assume that you are also highly educated, in poetry, but failed to actually learn the most basic rule of any art: Art comes in all styles.
Simple rhyming verse is a valid form of poetry. If you’re going to evaluate something, evaluate it within it’s own context. I have heard hoards of people spew that free verse is just lazy prose. Well … if it was prose, it would be but it’s not.
As to the word “trite”. How do you evaluate this as trite?According to Merriam-Webster, a reasonable source, trite means: hackneyed or boring from much use : not fresh or original. I would agree that someone writing a similar poem now might be considered trite. However, in 1914 it was far from trite. Calling this “trite” is like referring to a 93 year old man as “old”, when talking about him in his infancy. It only proves how closed your mind is to truly open and critical thinking.
One way to evaluate any piece of art is to see the intrinsic and extrinsic impacts of the piece. On the one hand, what was the impact on the author. Did they like it? Were they satisfied with it? Very much up for debate, with a dead author. On the other hand, what was and is the impact on everyone but the author. Let’s see, in this case, it has struck a positive (in some cases beloved) chord in millions of people. Further, it’s “popularity” has lasted for coming up on a century. That would make it have a more positive impact than - rough estimate - way over 90% of all poetry ever written in the Western world. I’d say that gives it an A.
Most artists would love to have a work that was so loved and appreciated as this poem. Say you don’t like it, fine; but, do not have the audacity to call it bad. This poem, more perfectly than most, did what it was supposed to do.
Sometimes simple is good! Get over yourselves!
NaniJn · 9 July 2005
I had a wonderful teacher named Miriam Carver in the second grade in the city of Natchitoches, Louisiana. She had a love for poetry and instilled it into my heart. I can never hear this poem or even just the first line without remembering Miss Carver. “I think that I could never see a poem lovely as a tree.”
ROBERT E WILSON · 13 September 2005
Trees, When sung in a crowded packed pub this song and these moving words can silence the room, the mood alters, people immediately recognise an haunting genius and they become quite moved and sentimental. Richard Taubers; “ My heart and I”. had this quality also . The problem with Old Man River is that it was a one man song, Paul Robesons. Old Man River was dashed off in minutes and was taken out of the original production of Showboat, then put back in. Ziegfeld didn’t like it. Ziegfeld. was wrong. All these songs are classics and we need to study them as great art.
Bob.
Kai Chow · 12 October 2005
I sang ‘Trees’ at a church talent contest back in 1955 in Singapore when I was 15.. I chose this song because of the lyrics which to me were absolutely meaningful and appropriate, although the music, while beautiful, was difficult to master. The opening score of the theme song of the vastly popular Mandarin-Chinese movie ‘Love Eterne’ (starring the late-Lin Dai) was probably adapted, or even copied from the opening bars of the music of ‘Trees’. It was slightly modified to sound dramatic.
john · 2 May 2006
Am certain that most people only have one memory / image of this poem and that is in the first two lines. This is where the imagery is at it’s most potent and all that follows is attempt at embelishment.
Orlando · 5 July 2006
I have a vague recollection of hearing this poem set to music and recorded by a vocal group called “Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians.” This would have been in the 1940’s.
Diana Pierce · 21 July 2006
I love this poem. As a child it touched me. I have never forgotten it. When I am sitting in my backyard and all is peaceful, this poem comes to me. Thank the teacher who introduced it to me and made me learn it.
Sharon Hillenbrand · 30 July 2006
I remember this poem from grade school, though not fully. I now have an 8 yr old daughter who doen’t relate to plats and nature in the same way and I wanted to share this poem as I learned as a song, to bring music and nature together. I hope it works as it’s such an imbedded memory for me because the words so emcapsulate a “Tree” and all it’s majesty as I sit in my back yard, look up at how strong and tall my trees are, and imagine the journey of each branch - like each human trying to grow to the light, be their best and most beautiful, and hoping that no-one, unappreciative of the effort to reach the sun, will unthinkingly chop them down.
If all I remember is the first verse it still brings tears to my eyes.
sharon
jesse l ontiveros · 31 July 2006
I graduated in 1965. During this year, I read TREES in from of my class. A poem that I will never forget. It was meant to be found tonight. Could it be that this poem inspired me to fall deeply in love with trees? I love big trees. I go to Yosemite Valley once a year and fall in love over and over again with the trees. I come back to my home in Hawaii and yearn for the next time to be reunited with…………………….TREES. They are one of the most beautiful creation on earth. How good God is to give us such a wonderful gift.
Evelyn O
John Covell · 19 August 2006
I am a current Joyce Kilmer biographer – so I am a tad bit biased. I have also heard plenty of the denigrating criticism there are concerning “Trees” – none of which is convincing when you place “Trees” into the context of all of Kilmer’s works and his life. He wrote about 160 other beautiful poems in hos all-too-short lifetime. Two of them were in the same rhyme and meter as “Trees”: “Citizen of the World” and “Prayer of a Soldier in France”. I can’t begin to name the “best” poem he wrote – “The House With Nobody It It” is my personal favorite. But it doesn’t matter; there are many more. What matters is that Joyce was a devoted husband, a dedicated father, a selfless friend, a deeply religious Catholic, a brave soldier and a true patriot who died for his country BESIDES being a writer, interviewer, and poet who put the beauty of common things into the rich and varied format that will live on in our American heritage far longer than the shallow words of his critics. John Covell
Janelle Koch · 22 August 2006
I just happened upon a book, “To My Daughter, With Love”, my mother had given me. Inside the front cover were her treasured thoughts and dreams…one of which was her favorite poem, “Trees”. She has been gone now for almost 3 years and during that time has been remembered daily by her devoted family and friends. Happening across this poem has brought me close to her this day. I cherish that wonderful feeling, the poem and the woman who was so very wise.
maria del Magallano · 1 November 2006
am a teacher and among the many poems that i love to teach my pupils is the poem by joyce kilmer, it makes the pupils realize God’s greatness as well as the importance of preserving our environment… God bless
CrrStw9 · 19 November 2006
How sweet that someone wanted to sing “Trees” at her sister’s funeral. I do hope you
were able to find the sheet music or that someone was able to play it from memory or by
“Ear”!
CrrStw9 · 19 November 2006
That was because some people pronounce poem as “pome” rather than “po-em”
I had never heard “pome” rhyming with home for this word poem until I started diagnosing
Brooklynese…had no idea what they were talking about for a long time when I became a
New Yorker 50 years ago.
Diane Alexander · 1 December 2006
Did anyone get the sheet music. I would also like it for my Mom who is 87. She has expressed that she would like it to be sang at her funeral someday. I really need to find it. Thanks, Diane
joyce · 21 March 2007
Every Spring and Fall I stand in my yard and gaze at the trees. They change so rapidly. It’s almost if you blink your eyes, they change from bright red, yellow, pink colors, to that sad and closed empty stand. I think of this poem each passing season. I have a plaque on my bedroom wall with this poem on it. My first name is Joyce, so I feel a kind of kindred spirit to Joyce Kilmer.
Maria Cook · 19 April 2007
You asked about the sheet music for Joyce Kilmer poem “Trees”. Copyright 1922 by G. Schirmer Music Stores, Inc N.Y. Music by Oscar Rasbach. Hopes this helps.
David Meister · 25 April 2007
Thanks Sandy,
It is good to know the right wording for the poem “Trees”.
My 95 year old mother-in-law wanted “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer sung at her memorial service.
Well, her memorial service is at hand, and the music still eludes us.
Do you know of a source for the music?
David
David Meister · 26 April 2007
John,
Were you successful in finding the sheet music? The memorial service for my 95 year old mother-in-law is at hand.
She wanted “trees” sung at her service. My email address ismy phone isDavid Meister
Judi & Mike Waller · 5 May 2007
I remember this as a child in England and a Padre in Army Uniform coming to the Convent to sing this to us. I am looking for the Music or someone singing these, what I like to think are lovely words. Thank you Judi.
Dreamy · 11 May 2007
I’m from Australia and almost 40 yrs old , my mother died in 1999 aged 66 , she used to sing me this poem as a child and when I had my own children I would sing it to them , I have a 1yr old little girl my oldest being 15 and I still sing this song , my daughter wont go to sleep without that poem being sung to her and also the poem about the babes in the woods ,I hope my children learn and remember these as they are beautiful, Tnx Lucia
Peter O'Hara · 18 July 2007
this is lovely. it brings back memories and has stayed with me all my life. I remember my randmother reciting and siging this to me when I was young. thankyou for this lovely memory. colette de largy. (NORTHERN IRELAND)
Billclrk7 · 21 August 2007
My favorite Poem……only one I remember from my childhood, still mumble it occasionally while doing my daily chores.
JAMES JACKSON · 1 March 2008
I am also one who learned of this poem in elementary school. I loved it then as well as now. I’m hoping to find one of Mr Kilmer’s book of poetry soon so as to learn more of his poems.
Linda Jackson