I am the Tree
I am the tree
creaking in the wind
outside in the night
twisted and stubborn.
I am the sheet
of the twisted tin shack
grating in the wind
in a shrill sad protest.
I am the voice
crying in the night
that cries endlessly
and will not be consoled.
Introduction
Dennis Brutus (November 28, 1924 – December 27, 2009) was a highly acclaimed South African poet, scholar, and activist. He was a prominent figure in the fight against apartheid, the government’s policy of enforced racial segregation and discrimination. His first poetry collection, "Sirens, Knuckles and Boots" (1963), was published in Nigeria while he was serving time in prison.
The poem shows the pain of a man of color who wishes to be accepted by society. He compares his tough situation to a tree left out in the dark, making painful sounds in the cold wind.
Summary
In this poem, the speaker expresses deep feelings of pain, loneliness, and struggle. The poem uses different images to describe the speaker's hardships. The speaker first compares himself to a tree that is twisted and creaking in the wind, showing how he feels worn down but still stubbornly enduring.
He also compares himself to a sheet of tin on a shack, grating loudly in the wind, symbolizing his sad and frustrated protest. Finally, the speaker describes himself as a voice crying endlessly in the night, unable to find comfort or relief. Through these images, the poem highlights feelings of isolation, suffering, and the desire for acceptance in a difficult and unkind world.
Explanation
Stanza 1
I am the tree
creaking in the wind
outside in the night
twisted and stubborn.
creaking - A sound that something makes when it is old, stiff, or under pressure
twisted - Bent or distorted from its normal shape
stubborn - Refusing to give up or change
In the first stanza, the speaker is comparing himself to a tree that creaks in the wind at night. This means the tree is making a noise because it's being blown around by the wind.
The tree is described as "twisted and stubborn" which suggests that it has been bent or shaped by tough conditions but remains firm and unyielding.
This imagery shows that the speaker feels like they are enduring difficult and challenging circumstances but are holding on with determination, despite the discomfort and struggle.
Stanza 2
I am the sheet
of the twisted tin shack
grating in the wind
in a shrill sad protest.
sheet - A flat piece of material, like metal
grating - A harsh, unpleasant sound made when two objects rub against each other
shrill - A high-pitched, sharp sound. It often feels unpleasant or piercing.
protest - A complaint or expression of dissatisfaction
In this stanza, the speaker compares himself to a "sheet of twisted tin" on a "shack." The tin sheet is part of a makeshift or poorly constructed building, suggesting instability and rough conditions.
"Grating in the wind" means that the tin sheet makes a harsh, annoying noise as it moves with the wind. The noise is described as "a shrill sad protest," which means the sound is sharp and mournful, expressing a sense of sadness and frustration.
This stanza conveys the speaker's feelings of discomfort and distress. He feels like he is struggling and expressing his sadness in a way that is loud and unrelenting, much like the noisy tin sheet in the wind.
Stanza 3
I am the voice
crying in the night
that cries endlessly
and will not be consoled.
consoled - Comforted or made to feel better
In the last stanza of the poem, the speaker compares himself to a voice crying in the night. This means he feels like he is calling out in sadness or pain during a time of darkness or loneliness.
"That cries endlessly" means the crying or sadness never stops, it goes on and on. "And will not be consoled" means that nothing can comfort them or make them feel better.
The speaker feels like he is trapped in constant sadness and cannot find any relief or comfort from his pain.
Questions & Answers
What does the poet compare himself to?
The poet compares himself to a tree creaking stubbornly in the night, a harsh grating sheet of a twisted tin shack, and an un-consoled voice crying endlessly out in the dark.
How does the tree behave?
The tree creaks in the wind, twisted but stubborn, showing it is enduring extremely harsh, painful circumstances yet still remains standing strong and unyielding.
Why does the poet protest?
The poet protests because he feels deep internal pain, systemic frustration, and acute sadness, longing for an absolute sense of acceptance and relief from his historical struggles.
Why will not the poet be consoled?
The poet won't be consoled because his profound sadness is too deeply rooted and endless, meaning the historical suffering offers no clear path to immediate comfort or relief.
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