Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Charles Olson?s "Under Every Green Tree" is a compact meditation on the nature of human thought, its relationship to sex, and its symbolic expressions in the natural world. True to Olson?s style, the poem is layered with meaning, blending anthropological insight, natural imagery, and philosophical exploration to create a striking, if enigmatic, piece.

The opening line, "under every green tree, sex is sympathetic magic," introduces the theme of connection between human behavior and the symbolic world. The phrase evokes a primal and universal image of life and fertility. Trees, often associated with vitality, growth, and reproduction, serve as an apt metaphor for the role of sex in human existence. Olson links this to the concept of "sympathetic magic," a term borrowed from anthropological studies, where rituals and symbols are believed to influence or represent real-world events. Here, Olson suggests that sex—an act deeply embedded in physical and emotional reality—is also imbued with a symbolic resonance that transcends its immediate function.

The use of "sympathetic magic" also implies a primitive or elemental aspect to human thought and behavior. Olson’s characterization of sex in this way places it within a framework of ancient rituals and belief systems, where actions were often performed to mimic or influence desired outcomes. By doing so, Olson hints at a continuity between ancient and modern consciousness: the ways humans relate to sex and nature, though evolved, remain tethered to an archaic imagination.

The subsequent line, "the uncontrolled use of analogy characteristic of early thought," shifts the focus to cognitive processes. Olson critiques—or perhaps merely observes—the human tendency to draw connections and parallels, often without restraint. Early thought, as he suggests, was marked by an openness to analogy, where one thing was readily equated with another in symbolic terms. This line functions as both an observation and a warning. While analogy enriches understanding, its "uncontrolled use" can lead to misconceptions or overly simplistic views of the world. Olson’s invocation of early thought might reflect on humanity?s deep-seated need to make sense of the world through symbolic relationships, a tendency that persists in modernity.

The final image, "a pillar of gold and of emerald hold up the sky," concludes the poem with an evocative, almost mythic visual. This celestial architecture—pillars of precious materials supporting the heavens—suggests a world structured by symbolic associations. Gold and emerald, both rich in cultural and material value, serve as metaphors for the grandeur and interconnectedness of the natural and metaphysical realms. The image recalls ancient cosmologies, where the heavens were often depicted as physically upheld by grandiose structures or divine forces.

However, the "pillar" could also be read as a continuation of the theme of analogy, symbolizing humanity?s attempt to make sense of existence through metaphorical frameworks. Just as early thought drew on the natural world to create meaning, Olson’s poetic vision suggests that these pillars—whether literal or figurative—represent humanity?s ongoing effort to bridge the material and the immaterial.

The poem’s brevity and openness are key to its effect. Olson does not dictate a singular interpretation but instead invites the reader to engage with its layered meanings. The interplay of sex, thought, and cosmic symbolism creates a tapestry that is both grounded in human experience and expansive in its philosophical reach. The balance between the tangible ("under every green tree") and the abstract ("pillars of gold and emerald") reflects Olson?s broader poetic project, which often seeks to reconcile the physical and the metaphysical.

In "Under Every Green Tree," Olson presents a reflection on the interconnectedness of human thought, behavior, and the natural world. By invoking concepts like sympathetic magic and early thought, he bridges the ancient and the modern, suggesting that humanity’s symbolic imagination remains a vital force in shaping our understanding of existence. The poem’s final image, both vivid and elusive, encapsulates this tension between the concrete and the symbolic, offering a vision of a world held together by the enduring power of analogy and myth.

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