Bonsai Explanation

BONSAI EXPLANATION
The poem “Bonsai” by Edith Tiempo, a National Artist for Literature,

poet, fictionist, teacher, and literary critic is one of the finest
Filipino writers in English whose works are characterized by a remarkable
fusion of style and substance, of craftsmanship and insight. “Bonsai”
starts with an object that is too wide, therefore, the character “I”
wants to fold it into a smaller size. So that, she can stash it wherever
she likes, even in a box, hollow post, or shoe. Follow by that is
mentioned next refer to Son’s note, Dad’s gaudy tie, a roto picture of a
Queen, a blue Indian shawl, and a money bill represent a physical
manifestation of love because they can be held and touched, and they
remain constant in form. So even if the love itself fades, the object
remains, and it is evidence of the love that was experienced. Because of
them, she is sure that love lasts until the world ends.
The theme of this poem is "Love that valuable and can be inherited".
Bonsai tree which is identical to a tree with a small size indicates that
no matter how small the memory, it still looks valuable. Implied that
items such as son's note, dad's tie, scarf, photos, and money will be
folded by the owner to be kept. The reason is that the items she has to
keep are valuable and can be inherited. Even though the owner of the
items is no longer in the same world but the love remains forever.
The mood of the poem is described as love and loyalty. She is a keeper
that wants to guard her beloved belongings although it is some trivial
objects. The tone can be described as happiness. The words that use in
the poem give a clue about how the character “I” feels about happiness
like love and moments. The words describe how happiness is in the poem.
The rhyme and rhythm in the first stanza. This stanza has free verse,
repetition, enjambment, and alliteration. Line 1 and 3 are made up of 4
syllables. Line 2 and 4 are made up of 5 syllables. The word “once” is
repeated twice (lines 2 and 3) in the same stanza. The opposite of the
end-stop line does not pause at the end of a line. It is continuous
without a pause into the next line. The second stanza has an oxymoron and
symbolism. Oxymoron notice “the moment and for all time, both”. Symbolism
notice on the note, gaudy tie, picture, Indian shawl, and a money bill.
Repeats the first line in the first stanza but this time the speaker uses
a question mark and the question word “why” in the second line.
The third stanza has free verse, repetition, and metaphor. Repetition in
line 3 “moment to moment”. Metaphor in lines 4 and 5 “to scale all love
down. To a cupped hand’s size,”. The fourth stanza has apheresis,
metaphor, and syndeton. Apheresis is where one or more letters are
omitted from the beginning of a word without diminishing the word’s
actual meaning. In line 1 “till seashells....”. metaphor from line 2
“from god’s bright teeth”. Syndenton in line 3 “and life and love are
real”.
Figurative language of "Bonsai" on third stanza line 4 to 5 is a

metaphor. "Love" is not scaled down to cupped hand but rather to be
inherited. Also, in the fourth stanza line 2; is a metaphor. The god does
not have bright teeth rather the god is smiling for what the readers do.
“Bonsai” has four stanzas which are stanza 1, consists of six-line and
are called Sestet with blank verse, it does not have rhyme but has a
metrical form. Stanza 2, consists eight-line and is called Octave with
free verse, It does not set meter but it may or may not be rhymed. In
stanza 3, contain five-line and is called Quintet with a blank verse
which is the verse that has a metrical form but it does not have rhyme.
In stanza 4, contain six-line the same goes as stanza 1.
This poem is an appreciation for an object that may be underappreciated.

Although there is only a little amount of memories, it is still a memory
that should not be forgotten. Therefore, the thing to do to always
remember it is to keep it in a small size as the structure of the bonsai
tree. So that, the object can become some kind of tradition which is
passed on and on to the heirs.
Questions for Discussion:
1. Why did the poet title her poem "Bonsai"? Bonsai is the Japanese art
of growing miniature trees in pots. The poet used it in her poem as a
metaphor for the human capacity of keeping and nurturing memories through
tiny keepsakes. Bonsai is the art of shrinking trees. Collecting
keepsakes is the art of shrinking love, life, and memories. For example,
the letter that the speaker keeps in a box is a miniature version of the
love and memories she and her son has for each other.
2. What does the line "Till seashells are broken pieces, From God’s own
bright teeth" mean? I think she's talking about the end of mankind, the
end of Earth. Science has come to the conclusion that the solar system
which includes the earth will end when the sun exhausts its source of
energy and dies. The poet could be referring to the sun as "God's own
bright teeth". When the sun dies, it will explode. That should burn and
break down all seashells on any shore.
3. What's the moral lesson in the poem? Bonsai is one of those poems
where there isn't a moral lesson. There is no need for one. So you
shouldn't be looking for one. The poem simply projects the poet
reflecting on one of the most important aspects of being human - the
ability to gather memories and keep them fresh in the mind and heart by
collecting keepsakes to represent them.

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BONSAI EXPLANATION

The poem “Bonsai” by Edith Tiempo, a National Artist for Literature,

Figurative language of "Bonsai" on third stanza line 4 to 5 is a

This poem is an appreciation for an object that may be underappreciated.

Questions for Discussion:

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