The poem "The Trees are Down" by Charles Hamilton Sorley is a melancholic reflection on the devastation of war and the loss of life it brings. The poem speaks to the profound sense of grief and loss that follows the destruction of something as seemingly indestructible as trees.
In the first stanza, Sorley paints a vivid picture of the aftermath of war, describing the trees as being "down" and lying "in rows." This imagery evokes a sense of disorder and chaos, as if the trees have been felled in a haphazard manner. The use of the word "rows" also suggests a military connotation, as if the trees are soldiers lying in formation after a battle.
The second stanza expands on this theme, with Sorley noting that the trees "used to stand" and "used to grow." This language conveys a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past, when the trees were still alive and thriving. The line "Now they are cut and gone" speaks to the finality of death and the inability to bring back what has been lost.
The third stanza shifts focus to the human cost of war, with Sorley stating that "we" (presumably the survivors of the conflict) "shall not see them more." This line speaks to the sense of loss and grief that comes with the loss of loved ones, and the realization that we will never again see or be able to interact with them in the same way.
In the final stanza, Sorley reflects on the inherent fragility of life and the devastating impact of war on both human and non-human beings. The line "All the lives that we shall live,/ And all the lives that we shall give" speaks to the cyclical nature of violence and the idea that war takes from us not only the lives of those who fight, but also the potential of future generations.
Overall, "The Trees are Down" is a powerful and poignant reflection on the devastation of war and the sense of loss and grief it brings. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Sorley captures the emotions of those who have witnessed the destruction of something as seemingly indestructible as trees, and the human cost of conflict.