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Cover of A Tree with a Bird in it:: A Symposium of Contemporary American Poets on Being Shown a Pear-tree on Which Sat a Grackle

A Tree with a Bird in it:: A Symposium of Contemporary American Poets on Being Shown a Pear-tree on Which Sat a Grackle

Written by Margaret Widdemer

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American poetryParodies

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About this book

"A Tree with a Bird in it: by Margaret Widdemer" is a unique collection of poetry, published in the early 20th century, that showcases the contributions of contemporary American poets. The book revolves around a whimsical symposium where these poets share their interpretations and musings inspired by a pear tree and a grackle perched upon its branches. It serves as both a playful and critical exploration of poetic expression and the nature of creativity itself. In this compilation, each poet offers distinct perspectives, encapsulating a range of themes from nature and existence to absurdity and personal reflection. The work includes contributions from notable names such as Robert Frost and Edna St. Vincent Millay, each crafting their own verse that often intertwines humor and introspection. The gathering of diverse poetic styles and voices not only highlights the creativity of the era but also provides a commentary on the role of the poet in society, creating a rich tapestry of literary expression that invites readers to consider both the significance of the bird and the tree, as well as the act of poetry itself.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in A Tree with a Bird in it:: A Symposium of Contemporary American Poets on Being Shown a Pear-tree on Which Sat a Grackle, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 5 hours
  • advanced
  • contemplative
  • intellectual
  • diverse

Margaret Widdemer's "A Tree with a Bird in it" is a unique 1936 anthology that functions as a poetic 'symposium,' inviting numerous contemporary American poets to respond to a singular, shared image: a grackle perched on a pear tree. This experimental collection showcases the profound diversity of poetic perception and interpretation, illustrating how different artistic sensibilities can transform a simple observation into myriad insights. It serves as a compelling study in comparative poetics, capturing a cross-section of American poetic styles and concerns of its era, and highlighting the subjective nature of creative expression.

“Each poet a lens, refracting the simple light into a spectrum of human thought.”

Key themes

The Nature of Perception and Reality
This theme explores how individual consciousness shapes and interprets objective reality. The shared image of the grackle on the pear tree serves as a constant, yet each poet's response reveals a unique 'reality' filtered through their personal lens, demonstrating that what is 'seen' is as much about the seer as the seen.
The Craft and Art of Poetry
The symposium itself is a meta-commentary on poetic craft. It showcases diverse techniques, forms, and stylistic choices employed by poets to transform observation into art. It highlights the choices poets make in diction, imagery, rhythm, and structure, and how these choices contribute to the overall meaning and impact of a poem.
Nature and Humanity's Relationship to It
Many poems in the collection inevitably touch upon humanity's connection to the natural world. The grackle and pear tree are not merely objects but evoke broader considerations of ecosystems, seasonality, the cycle of life, and human alienation or integration with nature. Poets might imbue the scene with anthropomorphic qualities or use it as a springboard for meditations on environmental themes.

Worth discussing

How does the singular prompt ('a grackle on a pear tree') both unify and diversify the poetic responses in the collection?

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