A Poison Tree deals with a key human emotion - anger. The poem鈥檚 content, ideas, language and structure are explored. Comparisons and alternative interpretations are also considered.
Part of English LiteraturePoems
Save to My Bitesize
I was angry with my friend:I told my wrath, my wrath did end.I was angry with my foe:I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I water鈥檇 it in fears,Night and morning with my tears;And I sunned it with smiles,And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,Till it bore an apple bright;And my foe beheld it shine,And he knew that it was mine,
And into my garden stoleWhen the night had veil鈥檇 the pole:In the morning glad I seeMy foe outstretch鈥檇 beneath the tree.
Note: this poem is included for reference purposes, please refer to your anthology for the definitive version.