English Notes

Here is a breakdown of the poem "Good Timber" by Douglas Malloch, stanza by stanza: Stanza 1: The first stanza introduces the idea that good timber, or strong wood, does not grow easily. It suggests that the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees become, and that the more distant the sky, the greater the length of the tree. Similarly, the more intense the storm, the stronger the tree becomes. Stanza 2: The second stanza expands on this idea, stating that good timber grows in both trees and people. It says that where the forest is thickest, we can find the strongest trees, or "patriarchs." Stanza 3: The third stanza introduces the idea that good timber is found in the higher mountains, where the air is cooler and the growth is thicker. It suggests that the longer the day and the year, the stronger the life and cheer. Stanza 4: The fourth stanza compares the breaking of a pine tree in a storm to the serene growth of an oak tree. It says that the boughs that bear th...