The Poplar Field

-          William Cowper (1731-1800)

The poplars have been cut down. So, there is neither the shade nor the whispering sound produced by the leaves of the trees. The poet could see their reflection in the water of the river Ouse, but now there is nothing to see.

Twelve years ago, the tree used to provide the poet with its shade. Now, he is sitting on the same tree that is lying on the ground. The trees used to grow along the bank of the river twelve years before. Now, they are lying in the grass.

The blackbird which used to take shelter of the poplar tree has now made his nest in the hazel tree. So, his short sweet song is not heard any more.

The poet’s years are passing very fast. One day he will have to die and lie in his grave. But other trees will not have grown in the places of the felled trees.

The poet thinks seriously about the shortness of man’s pleasures. Human enjoyments are shorter than the human life which is very short. So, it is man’s foolishness to cut down the trees for destructible pleasures.