Famous Poem
in Famous Children Poems
In "The Oak and the Rose" by Shel Silverstein, the poet uses personification to portray the conversation between an oak tree and a rosebush. The oak tree and rosebush initially engage in casual conversations about the elements of nature. However, as the oak tree grows taller and starts experiencing grander things like eagles, mountain peaks, and the sky, the rosebush becomes resentful and accuses the oak tree of thinking highly of itself. The rosebush expresses frustration that the oak tree no longer engages in "flower talk" now that it has grown so tall. In response, the oak tree explains that it hasn't grown so much but that the rosebush has remained small in comparison. The poem's concise and playful language highlights the contrasting perspectives of the oak tree and the rosebush, showcasing themes of growth, perspective, and self-importance.
An oak tree and a rosebush grew,
Young and green together,
Talking the talk of growing things-
Wind and water and weather.
An oak tree and a rosebush grew,
Young and green together,
Talking the talk of growing things-
Wind and water and weather.
And while the rosebush sweetly bloomed
The oak tree grew so high
That now it spoke of newer things-
Eagles, mountain peaks and sky.
'I guess you think you're pretty great,'
The rose was heard to cry,
Screaming as loud as it possibly could
To the treetop in the sky.
'And now you have no time for flower talk,
Now that you've grown so tall.'
'It's not so much that I've grown,' said the tree,
'It's just that you've stayed so small.'
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