Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room,
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.
Understanding “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now”: A Comprehensive Guide
A. E. Housman’s “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now” is a poem that, at first glance, appears to be a simple celebration of nature’s beauty. However, a deeper reading reveals a profound meditation on the passage of time and the human desire to fully experience life. This guide offers a thorough “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now summary” and an in-depth “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now analysis,” exploring its central themes, literary devices, and enduring appeal.
Summary of “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now”
This evocative poem, first published in 1896 as part of the collection A Shropshire Lad, begins with a vibrant description of cherry trees in full bloom. The speaker observes their delicate white blossoms adorning the branches, likening their appearance to a festive display for Eastertide. The poem then takes a poignant turn, as the speaker reflects on his own mortality. He calculates his remaining years, acknowledging that a significant portion of his life has already passed. This realization prompts a resolute decision: to spend his remaining time actively appreciating the fleeting beauty of the natural world, particularly the cherry blossoms. The poem beautifully intertwines the joy of spring with a melancholic awareness of life’s brevity, culminating in a powerful call to embrace the present moment.
The poem’s central idea is a compelling exploration of carpe diem, the Latin phrase meaning “seize the day,” viewed through the lens of nature’s transient beauty. The speaker’s observation of the short-lived cherry blossoms serves as a catalyst for his introspection about his own finite existence. This awareness does not lead to despair, but rather to a firm resolve to make the most of the time he has left, dedicating it to savoring the world’s wonders. A noteworthy element for readers is the phrase “threescore years and ten,” an ancient biblical reference signifying a full human lifespan, typically seventy years. Understanding this context illuminates the speaker’s precise calculation of his remaining time and the urgency behind his decision.
In-Depth Analysis of “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now”
To fully appreciate this literary work, an examination of its structure, themes, and the “literary devices in Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now” is essential.
Structure and Form: The Art of the Quatrain
The poem is composed of three quatrains, or four-line stanzas, a traditional and accessible poetic form. This structure provides a clear, balanced framework for the speaker’s evolving thoughts. The first stanza establishes the scene, the second introduces the speaker’s internal reflection on time, and the third presents his resolution. This progression creates a natural flow, guiding the reader through the speaker’s journey from observation to introspection to determination.
The consistent ABAB rhyme scheme in each stanza, for example, “now” (A), “bough” (A), “ride” (B), “Eastertide” (B) in the first stanza, contributes significantly to the poem’s musicality and gentle rhythm. This predictable rhyme scheme creates a sense of harmony and ease, making the poem memorable and enhancing its lyrical quality without distracting from its profound message.
Exploring Poetic and Literary Devices
Housman masterfully employs various “poetic devices in Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now” to enrich its meaning and emotional impact.
Vivid Imagery and Sensory Detail
Housman’s use of imagery is central to the poem’s appeal, painting a clear and beautiful picture for the reader. The opening lines immediately establish a strong visual:
Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
This imagery evokes the delicate white flowers adorning the branches, creating a sense of natural elegance. The description continues with:
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.
Here, the cherry tree is personified, “wearing white,” which not only reinforces the visual of the blossoms but also connects the natural world to human celebration and renewal, specifically Easter. The final stanza offers another striking image:
To see the cherry hung with snow.
This phrase cleverly reuses the image of “hung with bloom” but replaces “bloom” with “snow,” suggesting the pristine whiteness of the blossoms while also subtly hinting at the cold, transient nature of both snow and life itself. The imagery is not merely decorative; it serves to highlight the beauty that the speaker is so determined to appreciate.
Symbolism: The Fleeting Cherry Blossom
The cherry blossom itself is a powerful symbol within the poem. Beyond its aesthetic beauty, it represents the transient nature of life and beauty. Cherry blossoms are known for their brief, spectacular bloom before they quickly fade. This fleeting quality directly mirrors the speaker’s awareness of his own limited time on earth, strengthening the poem’s central theme of mortality and the urgency of appreciation.
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.
The “white” color, associated with Eastertide, further enriches the symbolism. White can represent purity, new beginnings, and renewal, aligning with the spring season and Easter. However, this is tempered by the underlying awareness of inevitable decay and the cycle of life and death, which Easter also implicitly acknowledges through its themes of resurrection and sacrifice.
Alliteration and Assonance: Enhancing Musicality
Housman’s skillful deployment of sound devices enhances the poem’s musicality and emotional resonance. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, is evident in lines such as:
Wearing white for Eastertide.
The repetition of the “w” sound creates a pleasing rhythm and gentle emphasis, drawing attention to the image of the white blossoms. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, also contributes to the poem’s harmonious flow:
And since to look at things in bloom
The repeated short “i” sound creates a subtle internal rhyme and a sense of lingering beauty, making the line more melodious and memorable.
Enjambment: A Natural Flow of Thought
The use of enjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues from one line to the next without a grammatical pause, contributes to the poem’s natural, conversational tone. This technique encourages the reader to move smoothly through the lines, mirroring the flow of the speaker’s thoughts and his resolute decision. Consider the final stanza:
And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room,
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.
The thought of “little room” for “fifty springs” flows directly into the speaker’s decision to “go” and “see,” creating a sense of immediacy and an unbroken stream of consciousness. This enhances the poem’s readability and draws the reader into the speaker’s reflective process.
The Power of Calculation: Confronting Mortality
The second stanza is pivotal, as the speaker directly confronts his mortality through a precise calculation:
Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.
These lines are crucial to the poem’s emotional impact. The speaker is not merely stating a fact; he is actively engaging with the diminishing quantity of his life. The exact calculation of lost years, twenty out of seventy, emphasizes his growing awareness of mortality and heightens the sense of urgency. This is not a morbid lament, but rather a practical assessment that serves as a powerful catalyst for action, prompting his decision to seize the remaining opportunities for joy and beauty.
Quotable Moments and Key Lines
The lines from the second stanza encapsulate the poem’s central themes and offer profound insight into the speaker’s mindset:
“Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.”
These lines serve as a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of appreciating the present moment. The speaker’s calculation is not simply an acknowledgement of loss, it is a call to action, urging him to make the most of his remaining years. This personal reflection resonates universally, prompting readers to consider their own relationship with time and the beauty around them.
Conclusion: The Enduring Message of “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now”
“Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now” is a deceptively simple poem that unfolds with layers of meaning. Through Housman’s skillful employment of poetic and literary devices, he crafts a poignant and enduring meditation on life, mortality, and the profound importance of savoring the beauty of the natural world. The poem’s accessible language, combined with its deep philosophical undertones, ensures its lasting appeal. It speaks to universal human experiences, reminding us to appreciate the present moment and the transient wonders of existence before they inevitably slip away. This timeless message makes it a cherished piece of literature, inviting continuous reflection on how we choose to live our own “fifty more springs.”