THE TREE

By G. Burce Bunao

The tree was very beautiful to me

When I was a boy

I climbed for fruit or out of a branch of the tree

Made me a toy—

A top, for instance, that spun around, carefree

And wound for joy until it toppled over and was dead.

No longer the boy,

I find the tree as beautiful as though not

Just for branch

Or a bunch of fruit but-more than that-for a bed

Or to fence the ranch

In which I raise the beasts that fill the pot

In the many shapes

My simple commerce turn them to like bread

Or fish or grapes

To feed the brood the little woman me.

There go the boys.

Go watch them, strong limb; spread up the tree,

They pluck their toys

Out of its branches, as out of my childhood tree

I shaped my joys.

About the Author

                    Background of the Author: G. Burce Bunao

POET GODOFREDO BURCE BUNAO passed away October 1st in LosAngeles, California. He was literary editor of the UP Collegian in the late 40s. Bunao retired in the early 1970s from the Manila Times publications. He published his poetry in Manila journals and won the Palanca Award for Poetry in English in 1969. He was well-known for his wit and humor. Aside from his award-winning poetry, the fallen pundit will be best remembered for cracking a satirical slogan that made the rounds during the martial-law days of the Marcos regime. With the Manila Times closed by Marcos, he and his wife put up a bakery. Fred quipped: Pag hindi umalsa ang masa, walang tinapay sa mesa. Fred Bunao migrated to California in the late 70s. He served as literary mentor of several journalists and book authors. He visited Manila last year and was feted by old friends.
The poet-pundit is survived by his wife, Fe, and several children and grandchildren.

Figurative Language:

In which I raise the beasts that fill the pot -  Metaphor

When I was a boy, I climbed for fruit or out of a branch of the tree – Imagery

Go watch them, strong limb; spread up the tree – Imagery

I climbed for fruit or out of a branch of the tree – Imagery

I find the tree as beautiful as though not – Imagery

Symbolism:

Toy – Symbolizes his childhood memories

Tree – Symbolizes his childhood

Fruit – Happiness

Rhyme Scheme:

A, B, A, B, A, C

A, B, C, D, C, B,E ,D, E, F

A, B, A, B, A 

SUMMARY

“Every little thing that happens in our childhood is somewhat memorable. It makes us smile every time we reminisce to those memories. This poem is also pertaining to the joys of the children while playing in the tree. Those moments still remains every time a child see the tree that becomes a part of their lives.”

 In this poem, it is clearly seen the evolution of the subject physically and mentally. He’s growth and development from an innocent boy who turned to a mature man. Each line in the poem clearly stated it. When he was a boy, he thought that a tree was a beautiful creation that gave him joy and bunch of fruit. It was the sign of his childhood.  And when he grew older, he still thought that the tree was a beautiful thing that gives him happiness and supports his needs.

 It was not only just a branch but more than that. As he grew older, his point of view about the tree changed. He used it in making a bed or even a fence. Also, to he used the tree to support his family.  From an innocent boy who sees the tree as a playmate and a source of his favorite fruit, now that he grew older, he sees it as his source of income. In that sense, his evolution as a man paved the way to the evolution of the benefits of the tree to his life.