5. Explanation of stanza 3

Explanation:

 

The poet, being a very eco-centric person, does not advocate trapping trees inside enclosed spaces. It appears that, like the trees, she also prefers open spaces. She exhibits the feeling of being trapped in a closed sphere. All over the world, it is not only trees that are exploited, it is also women. Rich being vocal about the abuse and domination happening around the world against nature and women seems to emphasise that we need to take an action plan.

 

Rich is also staying indoors, just like the trees. The trees try to get out of their confined spaces by extending their roots longer into outer space. They try their best to somehow see and expose themselves to the world outside. Similarly, Rich does her best to have a glimpse and take a breath of freedom by opening the doors of her verandah. The little space and air that comes into her house through the door is her tiny experience of freedom. She does not sit there idle, rather she sits there writing letters. Letters are also her connection to the outer world. People write letters as a means to express themselves. The readers do not know to whom the letters are addressed, but it is evident that she feels it to be a liberating experience. But she says she does not mention the departure of the trees from the greenhouse in the letter. The reason might be that she wants the trees to move out of the house, as unlike her, at least they get to experience freedom.

 

 

The readers also get to know that it is nighttime when the poet writes it. She can see a full moon, as the night is fresh. The night is also welcoming the trees' departure from the house. She also says that the sky is open, giving us a picture of a roofless house, where the sky is vast with the moon shining brightly. She says that the trace of trees can still be there even after them leaving gradually. Their presence is experienced with the smell of leaves and lichens. She says that the smell appears more like a voice in the rooms, indicating that the trees have finally found a voice to gain their freedom.

 

 

Meaning of difficult words: