Saturday, April 19, 2014

Blake's Tree

Genesis 2[9] And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 3
[22] And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
[23] Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
[24] So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.



When he was a young boy Blake reported that he had seen a tree filled with angels; one of his parents disapproved.

In Marriage of Heaven and Hell:

"A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees." 

"For the cherub with his flaming sword is hereby commanded to leave his guard at tree of life."


A Poison Tree:
"I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it 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;\
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree." 

For the tree of Mystery go here. 






1 comment:

Susan J. said...

how timely for this beautiful Death-And-Resurrection Weekend. The trees are budding and blooming according to their nature, and the birds are cacophonous (sp?)
and, as always, the metaphorical possibilities are infinite.

much love,

Susan