Binsey Poplars (Unabridged)

In the tranquil countryside of Binsey, where the River Thames meanders through lush meadows, a collection of towering poplars stands as a testament to the beauty and transience of nature. Gerard Manley Hopkins, a renowned Victorian poet, captures the essence of these majestic trees in his evocative poem, "Binsey Poplars." Through vivid imagery and intricate wordplay, Hopkins explores the interplay between the natural world and the human soul. The poplars become symbols of both resilience and vulnerability, their towering heights reaching towards the heavens while their roots are firmly planted in the earth. As the seasons change and the trees face the inevitable march of time, Hopkins reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the enduring power of memory.