Conrad Siever by Edgar Lee Masters
The poem reflects on the themes of life, death, and the connection between the living and the departed. The speaker contrasts a desolate, neglected garden with a more vibrant, nurturing space under an apple tree. This setting symbolizes growth, care, and the cycle of life, emphasizing the importance of tangible, earthly experiences over abstract notions of communion with the dead. The speaker expresses a deep connection to the apple tree, highlighting the labor and love invested in its care. The imagery of "gnarled hands" suggests a life of toil and dedication, while the "chemic change and circle of life" evokes the natural processes that bind all living things. The apple tree serves as a metaphor for legacy and continuity, with its fruit representing the tangible results of one's efforts. The poem ultimately conveys a sense of fulfillment found in nurturing life and the natural world, contrasting with the futility of longing for connections that transcend the physical realm. The speaker's reflections reveal a profound appreciation for the cycles of nature and the enduring impact of one's actions on the living landscape.
By Edgar Lee Masters · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Nature Writing · 146 words
First lines
Not in that wasted garden Where bodies are drawn into grass That feeds no flocks, and into evergreens That bear no fruit --
There where along the shaded walks Vain sighs are heard, And vainer dreams are dreamed Of close communion with departed souls --
But here under the apple tree I loved and watched and pruned With gnarled hands In the long, long years;
Here under the roots of this northern-spy To move in the chemic change and circle of life, Into the soil and into the flesh of the tree, And into the living epitaphs Of redder apples!
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Conrad Siever is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edgar Lee Masters, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edgar Lee Masters
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Nature Writing, Modernist, Lyrical
- Length: 146 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions and reflections on life and death.
- Nature Writing — The imagery and focus on the natural world are central to the poem's themes.
- Modernist — The style reflects modernist characteristics, including introspection and a break from traditional forms.
Tags
Tragic · Melancholic · Poetic · Autobiographical · Nostalgic · Bittersweet · Coming of Age · Loss · Grief · Memory · Regret · Longing