1 post tagged “a poison tree”

Do you hold grudges against people? Tell us about an incident if you do, and if you don't, tell us how you rise above it.
Submitted by Sophie.

This poem by WIlliam Blake is a good illustration of why it is not good to hold grudges against people.  I rarely do myself.  I just can't be bothered.  I would rather grow and save my 'apples bright' for those I care about. 

A Poison Tree

by William Blake

I was angry with my friend:

I told my wrath, my wrath did end.

I was angry with my foe:

I told him not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears

Night and morning with my tears,

And I sunned it with smiles

And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,

Till it bore an apple bright,

And my foe beheld it shine,

And he knew that it was mine -

And into my garden stole

When the night had veiled the pole;

And in the morning, glad, I see

My foe outstretched beneath the tree.  

Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience

William Blake