Narration and Voice
Who is telling the story in the poem?
The narrator is someone reflecting on a place and its meaning.
What does the "dark mesh of the woods" describe?
It symbolizes the oppressed, those who have been forced into hiding or erased from history.
What might the "old revolutionary road" represent?
It could represent the past struggles or movements that have faded or been forgotten.
Why doesn't the narrator tell us exactly where the place is?
The narrator wants to keep it mysterious, making it more universal and symbolic.
What does "leafmold paradise" mean?
It combines decay ("leafmold") with something beautiful ("paradise"), showing how beauty and decay can exist together.
What does the "meeting-house abandoned by the persecuted" symbolize?
It symbolizes a place that has been left behind, suggesting a past opposition's destruction.
How does the narrator feel about the "place"?
The narrator feels that the "place" is both significant and unsettling.
Why is "grass growing uphill" unusual?
It's strange because grass usually grows on flat or downhill land, so it suggests something unnatural or off.
What does the idea of "disappearing" in the poem suggest?
It suggests people or parts of history being erased or forgotten.
Why does the narrator say "why do I tell you anything?"
The narrator is questioning why they share these thoughts, but feels it's necessary in difficult times.
What do the "ghost-ridden crossroads" represent?
They suggest a place haunted by past events or memories.
What does the line "picking mushrooms at the edge of dread" represent within the poem?
It symbolizes the speaker confronting a dark or unsettling truth while engaging in an ordinary, almost fragile act of survival.
What does the narrator mean by "to have you listen at all, it's necessary to talk about trees"?
The narrator acknowledges that, in difficult times, talking about something simple and grounding–like trees–can help people connect and stay engaged with important truths.
What does the "unmarked strip of light" mean?
It represents a growing opposition to the persecution of the government.
What do the "trees" represent in the poem?
The trees may represent stability, history, or the natural world that quietly witnesses everything.