Young foreign-born ailanthus,
Because he grew so fast,
We scorned his easy daring
And doubted it would last.
But lo, when autumn gathers
And all the woods are old,
He stands in green and salmon,
A glory to behold!
Among the ancient monarchs
His airy tent is spread.
His robe of coronation
Is tasseled rosy red.
With something strange and Eastern,
His height and grace proclaim
His lineage and title
Is that celestial name.
This is the Tree of Heaven,
Which seems to say to us,
"Behold how rife is beauty,
And how victorious!"
I am busy working to bring Bliss Carman's "The Tree of Heaven" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you later.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore the poem's themes, structure, and meaning. You can also check out the gallery for other musical arrangements or learn more about Bliss Carman's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "The Tree of Heaven" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.