The poplar field

*by William Cowper

This poem compares chopping down of trees to a man life and death.

The poem is the result of the poet’s second visit to the same landscape, which he had visited twelve years before. It was the bank of River Ourse, which was filled with tall poplar trees. It provided shade to the poet and the pleasure of the reflection of the trees. There used to blow cool breeze and the melodious songs of blackbirds had charmed the poet. However, now the trees are cut down and lying on the ground. The poet feels the absence of shade, nature, songs of birds, reflection of trees and cool breeze. By observing the degraded situation of the same landscape, the poet becomes rather sad and disappointed.

The poet thinks that the limited years of his life are passing away very quickly. Very soon, he will be dead and buried in a grave. But he regrets that he will not be able to see such poplar grow on the bank of river ouse again in his life. He not only regrets for himself but, the pathetic site of nature also draws his attention towards the perishing pleasure of human. But their bad luck is that their joy and pleasure last for shorter time and for this they themselves are responsible.