Comparing Poems 'Tree' By Alan Smith And Ten Tall Oak Trees By Richard Edward

The creation of poems by authors can be interpreted differently depending on the style and context that is being addressed. Through the analysis of the two poems ‘Tree’ by Alan Smith and ‘Ten Tall Oak trees’ by Richard Edward the different techniques and features can be recognised and the selective use of different aspects within the same context of writing (relationship with biodiversity) can be successfully deconstructed. In this essay the different techniques that the authors chose to use, the connects with the biodiversity topic of the two poems and the attempt to influence the reader opinions of these ideas will be discussed.

In the poems, both writers (Smith and Edward) both used different stylistic techniques to portray a similar idea. To deconstruct and understand this to its full extent many aspects of the two poems must be considered and analysed. The first example of this being the techniques that the author chose to use within their poems. In the poem ‘Tree’ by Alan Smith, we can identify that the poem uses personification. Smith achieved this by writing the poem from the point of view of the tree, for example, “The roots that go back into time my moss-strewn trunk, my woody girth.” This sentence is describing the tree in first person, encouraging a connection between the

The main issue described is the impact that humans actions are having on the biodiversity, and these poems, in particular, use a tree to assist the reader in understanding and relating. ‘Tree’ manages to discuss a particular issue for each paragraph without directly relating it to the issue encouraging the reader to consider these ideas and think about it deeper. For example, an important one is religion. When the reader thinks deeply about the potential issues in the poem, they consider a wide range of issues, including issues that aren’t intended to be in the