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Showing posts from June, 2014

Reading Tree

So many ways to read these lines from Tree by Jane Hirshfield It is foolish to let a young redwood grow next to a house. Even in this one lifetime, you will have to choose. That great calm being, this clutter of soup pots and books -  Already the first branch-tips brush at the window. Softly, calmly, immensity taps at your life.  I like to first read Hirshfield very literally. The words are simple, the language is sparse and beautiful. Every word in the poem could be taken at face value - there is no pretense or complication. It is satisfying just to do that but its not quite enough. In a second reading, I like to create parallels - a young redwood could be a relationship that will grow deeply challenging over time and tap at my life. Another day in another place and frame of mind I may see entirely different parallels and find new meaning in these ten lines.