Being but Men, we Walked into the Trees
The poem explores themes of mortality, nature, and the human condition through a series of vivid and symbolic images. The speaker's journey into the trees serves as a metaphor for the inevitability of death and the search for transcendence. The poem's use of rich sensory details creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the reader into the world of the poem.
By Dylan Thomas · First published 1949 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Nature · 160 words
First lines
Being but men, we walked into the trees / Afraid, letting our syllables be soft / For fear of waking the rooks, / For fear of coming
Noiselessly into a world of wings and cries.
If we were children we might climb, / Catch the rooks sleeping, and break no twig, / And, after the soft ascent, / Thrust out our heads above the branches
To wonder at the unfailing stars.
What this Textopian page supports
Being but Men, we Walked into the Trees is listed on Textopian as a poem by Dylan Thomas, dated 1949 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Dylan Thomas
- Date: 1949 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Modernist, Nature, Philosophical, Reflective
- Length: 160 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Being but Men, we Walked into the Trees by Dylan Thomas
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Modernist — The themes of existential reflection and the exploration of human consciousness align with Modernist literary characteristics.
- Nature — The poem prominently features natural elements like trees, rooks, and stars, emphasizing the relationship between humans and nature.
- Philosophical — The text explores philosophical themes such as the nature of existence and the pursuit of understanding and bliss.
Tags
Poetry · Autobiographical · Coming-of-age · Self-discovery · Nature · Existentialism · Philosophy · Psychological · Emotional · Introspective · Stream-of-consciousness · Symbolic