“Trees” by Joyce Kilmer is a well-known poem that has been both praised and criticized. Here
are some points of criticism:
Simplicity and Sentimentality: Some critics and scholars have argued that Kilmer’s work,
including “Trees”, is overly simple and sentimental. They suggest that his style is too traditional
and even archaic1.
Human Art vs. Divine Creation: The poem asserts that no human creation can match the beauty
of a tree, a natural creation of God. This perspective might be seen as undermining the value
and potential of human creativity and artistry.
Light-hearted Tone: The tone of “Trees” is light-hearted, which might not resonate with all
readers4. The final couplet of the poem, which suggests that poems are foolish things next to
nature, could be seen as self-deprecating or dismissive of the power of poetry.