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Flower in the crannied wall by Alfred Tennyson (1809 - 1892) Timeline Original Language English Secular or Eclectic Christian : Protestant 19th Century Flower in the crannied wall, I pluck you out of the crannies; -- Hold you here, root and all, in my hand, Little flower -- but if I could understand What you are, root and all, and all in all, I should know what God and man is.     -- from Tennyson's Poetry (Norton Critical Editions), by Alfred Tennyson / Edited by Robert W. Hill Jr. Amazon.com   / Photo by David Masters /	Themes   Garden   Lotus   Rose   Spring Blossom   Recommended Books Alfred Lord Tennyson: Selected Poems (Penguin Classics), by Alfred Tennyson Alfred Tennyson: The Major Works (Oxford World's Classics), by Alfred Tennyson / Edited by Adam Roberts The Complete Works of Alfred Tennyson, by Alfred Tennyson Idylls of the King and a New Selection of Poems (Signet Classics), by Alfred Tennyson The Oxford Book of Mystical Verse, Edited by D. H. S. Nicholson / Edited by A. H. E. Lee More >>
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Since Lord Tennyson kept his poem short, I'll keep my commentary short, as well.

Maybe this poem's observation of the flower is a bit sentimental, but that final lines have an alliterative delight, and its depth of insight shouldn't be overlooked--

but if I could understand
What you are, root and all, and all in all,
I should know what God and man is.

Any thing -- any object, any person, any experience -- no matter how mundane or humble, when truly and fully encountered, becomes a doorway to enlightenment.

Have a beautiful day!

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.