The Analysis of Bonsai by Edith Tiempo

The poem “Bonsai” by Edith Tiempo, a National Artist for Literature, poet, fictionist, teacher, and literary critic is one of the finest Filipino writers in English whose works are characterized by a remarkable fusion of style and substance, of craftsmanship and insight. “Bonsai” starts with an object that is too wide, therefore, the character “I” wants to fold it into a smaller size. So that, she can stash it wherever she likes, even in a box, hollow post, or shoe. Follow by that is mentioned next refer to Son’s note, Dad’s gaudy tie, a roto picture of a Queen, a blue Indian shawl, and a money bill represent a physical manifestation of love because they can be held and touched, and they remain constant in form. So even if the love itself fades, the object remains, and it is evidence of the love that was experienced. Because of them, she is sure that love lasts until the world ends.

The theme of this poem is "Love that valuable and can be inherited".  Bonsai tree which is identical to a tree with a small size indicates that no matter how small the memory, it still looks valuable.  Implied that items such as son's note, dad's tie, scarf, photos, and money will be folded by the owner to be kept.  The reason is that the items she has to keep are valuable and can be inherited. Even though the owner of the items is no longer in the same world but the love remains forever.

The mood of the poem is described as love and loyalty. She is a keeper that wants to guard her beloved belongings although it is some trivial objects. The tone can be described as happiness. The words that use in the poem give a clue about how the character “I” feels about happiness like love and moments. The words describe how happiness is in the poem.

The rhyme and rhythm in the first stanza. This stanza has free verse, repetition, enjambment, and alliteration. Line 1 and 3 are made up of 4 syllables. Line 2 and 4 are made up of 5 syllables. The word “once” is repeated twice (lines 2 and 3) in the same stanza. The opposite of the end-stop line does not pause at the end of a line. It is continuous without a pause into the next line. The second stanza has an oxymoron and symbolism. Oxymoron notice “the moment and for all time, both”. Symbolism notice on the note, gaudy tie, picture, Indian shawl, and a money bill. Repeats the first line in the first stanza but this time the speaker uses a question mark and the question word “why” in the second line.

The third stanza has free verse, repetition, and metaphor. Repetition in line 3 “moment to moment”. Metaphor in lines 4 and 5 “to scale all love down. To a cupped hand’s size,”. The fourth stanza has apheresis, metaphor, and syndeton. Apheresis is where one or more letters are omitted from the beginning of a word without diminishing the word’s actual meaning. In line 1 “till seashells....”. metaphor from line 2 “from god’s bright teeth”. Syndenton in line 3 “and life and love are real”.

Figurative language of "Bonsai" on third stanza line 4 to 5 is a metaphor. "Love" is not scaled down to cupped hand but rather to be inherited. Also, in the fourth stanza line 2; is a metaphor. The god does not have bright teeth rather the god is smiling for what the readers do.

“Bonsai” has four stanzas which are stanza 1, consists of six-line and are called Sestet with blank verse, it does not have rhyme but has a metrical form. Stanza 2, consists eight-line and is called Octave with free verse, It does not set meter but it may or may not be rhymed. In stanza 3, contain five-line and is called Quintet with a blank verse which is the verse that has a metrical form but it does not have rhyme. In stanza 4, contain six-line the same goes as stanza 1.

This poem is an appreciation for an object that may be underappreciated. Although there is only a little amount of memories, it is still a memory that should not be forgotten. Therefore, the thing to do to always remember it is to keep it in a small size as the structure of the bonsai tree. So that, the object can become some kind of tradition which is passed on and on to the heirs.