Flower in the crannied wall
by Alfred TennysonOriginal Language English
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. |
<<Previous Poem | More Poems by Alfred Tennyson | Next Poem >>

/ Image by David Masters /
View All Poems by Alfred Tennyson
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 the 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!
Recommended Books: Alfred Tennyson