2.1 Cherry Tree : Ruskin Bond

About the poem, poet and title.

The poem “Cherry Tree” compiled by Ruskin Bond is about the poet's ecstasy over a tree which he planted which took eight years to grow. Poet loves to enroll his common activities of childhood as a part of his writing. Ruskin Bond has the greatest position in Anglo Indian poet and literature and known for his lucid and rustic writing. Title of poem ‘Cherry Tree’ is symbolic and suggestive. It leads us to the growth of the Cherry Tree indicating the underlying meaning of an importance of struggle for existence

• Theme/summary/gist of the poem.

Poet wants to plant the cherry tree as he decided to do some noble work and guided by his grandparent. Cherry seed was buried but neglected by poet. Tree was ruined by goats and grass cutters but still having a hope of reformation. When poet returned after a long duration eight years, he was surprised by seeing the six feet heighted over grown tree, its branches and ripen , jeweled dark cherries. He has enjoyed the sleepiest breeze, stars and singing crickets under the tree.

• Poetic style/language, poetic devices used in the poem.

Poem has a narrative tone having a touch of nature poem and focusing on simple activities of a common person like planting trees and its observation. Language of poem belongs to the common person’s language, very easy to understand and enriched with meaning. Poet has used alliteration, personification, antithesis etc. to convey the emotions very effectively and clearly.

• Special features/novelties/focusing elements.

Poem is narrative and with its medium poet not only wants to show his intense feeling of planting tree and its observation but also communicates with readers. Through this poem, language of common people, common activities, general behavior and feeling of valediction has been focused.

• Message/values/morals in the poem.

Poetic line ‘That small, the cherry, grown by me’ has a power to convey the entire message of the poem. Poet focused our cast on caring of trees and its power to struggle with a nature. With the symbol of Cherry tree, poet suggests us to struggle for existence. 

• Your opinion about the poem.

According to me, this is a symbolic poem conveying message to the entire society about ‘survival of the fittest’. If we have a strong desire and persistence in activities, our aim is not so far. Struggling life has a power to blossom and fragile at worst circumstances.

By : M. R. Borkar (Nagbhir)