Thread: Pine Trees

This is a poem I had to write for school. It was made by pulling words and phrases from The Scarlet Letter and mix-matching them to form each line. If you have not read the book you may not understand. If you have read the book you still probably won't understand it because this is my first multi-stanza poem ever.

FYI, I already turned it in and am just posting it now because I didn't want my teacher to think I plagiarized this.

Pine Trees were planted sometime long past.
Their stately black trunks, scarred with age
Cast dark shadows over the town Salem.
These were the Puritan Elders of old.

Pine Trees smiled not at the living.
They gazed with harsh criticism
At the enjoyments of men and women.
These were the Puritan Elders of old.

Pine Trees formed a grave, weighty order.
Venerable age and sad wisdom
Made religion and law identical.
These were the Puritan Elders of old.

Pine Trees espoused iron opinions.
With melancholy utterances
They bestowed an intolerant judgment
These were the Puritan Elders of old.

Pine Trees were venerable back then.
White hair, black cloaks, and solid wisdom
Beget sad-colored experiences
These were the Puritan Elders of old.

Thanks for posting this. I found it interesting in how well it conveyed a clear description of one perspective of that book. Particularly impressive given the constraints you described.

Watto C, I've no idea what "The Scarlet Letter " is.

White hair, black cloaks, and solid wisdom
Beget sad-colored experiences

A very thought provoking and evocative read.

Brian

Thanks to both of you.

Brain, The Scarlet Letter is an 18th century Romantic novel that revolves around the Scarlet Letter worn by Hester Prynne, an Adulteress in Puritan Boston. It's a complex tale with a brilliant plot, though I find the excessively wordy language gets in the way of the good parts.

Welcome, Cambyses. I've only read excerpts from the actual book, I agree with you regarding the verbosity, but I've seen the film starring Demi Moore as Hester Prynne on numerous occasions. I think you've done an excellent job completing your assignment, which could not have been easy. You stayed true to the tale and in a very pleasing fashion. Kudos, love, I think you deserve an A at the very least, nicely done.

Best,
Lisa

Thankyou. I have not seen the film, though I heard it wasn't very good.