My Take on "Bonsai" : A Poem by Edith L. Tiempo

       “Bonsai,” written by Edith Tiempo, is one of those poems that make no sense when you first read it. Her formalist approach in this poem makes you think about the hidden messages within its lines. It is a short, intricate poem containing metaphors and symbolisms. Thus, one must carefully read and analyze it to fully understand the meaning behind it.

       It must be confusing to think why even without a mention, the poem is titled “Bonsai.” From just the title itself, we can see an example of Tiempo’s genius way of using the formalist approach. This poem talks about how love can be similar to the concepts of a bonsai tree. It is something that can be miniaturized, preserved, and passed down through generations. Therefore, with the use of metaphors and symbolisms, “Bonsai” got its name.

       The poem begins with the lines “All that I love / I fold over once / And once again / And keep in a box / Or slit in a hollow post / Or in my shoe.” In these lines, we can see how Tiempo used imagery to subtly convey the theme. The first half of the stanza refers to the small or big things we fold to miniaturize, that we love. Things such as letters, photos, jewelry, or even clothes. Since these are important items to us, we tend to store them and keep them safe, which is what the second half of this refers to.

       In the second stanza, Tiempo uses cataloging to list down items such as “Son’s note or Dad’s one gaudy tie, / A roto picture of a queen, / A blue Indian shawl, even / A money bill.,” that others may think of as ordinary or weird. However, for some individuals, these items hold sentimental value and are very important to them. These items symbolize the other things we love or cherish but are too big to keep.

       The third stanza talks about how it is sublime and a feat to keep the small things we love and cherish, as it requires great courage and strength. The lines “this heart’s control / Moment to moment / To scale all love down / To a cupped hand’s size” implies that the big love we have for things, for example of our family, can be scaled down or turned into a tangible thing like a keychain of a family picture. We can notice the very smart, but simple way Tiempo used metaphors here.

       Finally, in the last stanza, Tiempo says that life and love is a gift from God.  She also implies in the lines “Things you can run and / Breathless hand over / To the merest child” that love is no longer just a concept, but something tangible that we can pass down through many generations. Just like a bonsai tree.

       After thoroughly analyzing the message of Tiempo’s poem, I have realized that everyone has their own “bonsai.” Love can be transformed into something tangible that will last an eternity. With this, love will not only exist within you, but also through hundreds of generations. Tiempo’s formalist approach in this poem is truly breath-taking.

[See "Bonsai" by Edith Tiempo below]