the word and the tree

the word and the tree a poem by
keith o'connor

...

Poetry Index

.This poem explores the idea that words put a wall between ourselves and our perceptions of reality elements. That the relationship between self and other comes into existence through the invention of language, which creates a wall like separation between ourselves and reality. It has been said that the naming of mother breaks the unity between child and mother. Yet many mothers rush to hear those first words - the words of separation. Some religions state that god must never be named because it would break the unity.

.the word and the tree

I look at a tree
I know it's a tree
because
my mother told me
it was a tree
she pointed to it and said
"tree"
that's how I know it's a tree
I have a word for it
the word is "tree"
...
what if I had no word
what if my mother had pointed
and said
" " and " "
I would have no word for it
I would look at it
but I would have no word for it
I could touch it
but I would have no word for it
...
I could not say to you
I saw a tree today
because I had no word for it
I couldn't say to you
I saw a " " to day
you would not know what I meant
I can't put a picture
of a tree in my mind
and say to you
look into my mind
and see what I saw today
you can't see into my mind
so
I have a word
"tree"
I say to you
I saw a tree
you can't see the "tree"
that I saw
you can only hear the word
that I say
since you can't see
the tree that I saw
we share the word
that I say
the word "tree"
we don't need the real tree
we only need the word
the word is the tree

Keith O'Connor
Ottawa Canada
2001 aug 24
www.tinmangallery.com