The poem describes a tree that has witnessed the history of a Native American tribe, the Sokokis, and their struggles against European colonizers. The tree's branches are said to be adorned with the bones of the tribe's warriors who died in battle. The speaker reflects on the tree's significance as a symbol of the tribe's resilience and the devastating impact of colonialism.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1838 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Nature