The Cypress-Tree of Ceylon
This poem describes the cypress tree's enduring presence on a tropical island, symbolizing hope and resilience amidst natural disasters and human turmoil. The speaker reflects on the tree's ability to withstand storms and its continued existence despite the passage of time. The poem explores themes of nature's power, human fragility, and the cyclical nature of life.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1860 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry · 563 words
First lines
Ibn Batuta, the celebrated Mussulman traveller of the fourteenth century, speaks of a cypress-tree in Ceylon, universally held sacred by the natives, the leaves of which were said to fall only at certain intervals, and he who had the happiness to find and eat one of them was restored, at once, to youth and vigor. The traveller saw several venerable Jogees, or saints, sitting silent and motionless under the tree, patiently awaiting the falling of a leaf.
THEY sat in silent watchfulness The sacred cypress-tree about, And, from beneath old wrinkled brows, Their failing eyes looked out.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cypress-Tree of Ceylon is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1860 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1860 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Lyric Poetry
- Length: 563 words
- Structure: 1 section, 19 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of faith, prayer, and spiritual watchfulness, characteristic of religious poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The imagery of the cypress-tree and the natural setting of Ceylon highlights the connection between nature and spirituality.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem reflects on deeper existential questions and the nature of faith and patience.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through its depiction of the Jogees and their vigil, providing a narrative structure.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Symbolism · Mythology · Cultural Heritage · Historical Fiction · Romanticism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · Folklore · Literary Device