Expert: Linda Sue Grimes -- Classic Poetry Aide - 7/18/2005

Question
Here is a poem:
Bonsai (Edith L. Tiempo)

All that I love
I fold over once
And once again
And keep in a box
Or a slit in a hollow post
Or in my shoe.

All that I love?
Why, yes, but for the moment-
And for all time, both.
Something that folds and keeps easy,
Son's note or Dad's one gaudy tie,
A roto picture of a queen,
A blue Indian shawl, even
A money bill.

It's utter sublimation,
A feat, this heart's control
Moment to moment
To scale all love down
To a cupped hand's size

Till seashells are broken pieces
From God's own bright teeth,
And life and love are real
Things you can run and
Breathless hand over
To the merest child.


I already have my opinion on this. But I need other opinions from other people who are well-versed in poetry matters. It's hard for the people I ask what they think of the poem. If I ask other people, it would be teachers and some parents. So, I would like a summary of your interpretations on this poem.

The things I have not understood yet:
1. Why is it called Bonsai?
2. I don't get stanza 1 completely, can you elaborate stanza 1 for me based on your opinions?

(I was reading this from a book and I wanted to know what it means.)
So, a summary of what i'm asking from you is:

1. Why is it called Bonsai?
2. Elaborate stanza 1 as well as the whole poem based on your opinions, perceptions and thinking.

Thank you. I'll be awaiting your reply.

Answer
Dear Gerard,

The speaker in the poem "Bonsai" is dramatizing her love for small things, especially things written on paper she can fold. But her love seems to have the desire to deliberately shrink things.

It's called "Bonsai" because bonai is a small tree that has been deliberately dwarfed by a certain method of cultivation.  

Hope this helps.

Blessings,
Linda Sue Grimes
Classic Poetry