Cherries in Poetry: The Sweetness of Words

When it comes to fruit, cherries have often captured the imagination of poets throughout the ages. Their vibrant color, delicate flavor, and symbolic significance have made cherries a popular subject for many renowned poems. In this article, we delve into the world of cherry-inspired poetry and explore a few famous examples that celebrate the allure of these luscious fruits.

The Symbolism of Cherries

Cherries have long been associated with various symbolic meanings, making them a rich source of inspiration for poets. Their fleeting nature, often tied to the brevity of life and the passage of time, has been a common theme. Cherries can also represent sensuality, love, and even innocence. Whether poets use cherries as a metaphor or describe them in their natural beauty, these poems evoke emotions and capture the essence of this beloved fruit.

Poems Celebrating Cherries

1. "This Is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams

One of the most famous poems featuring cherries is "This Is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams. In this short and simple yet powerful poem, Williams apologizes for eating the plump cherries that were likely meant for someone else. It beautifully captures the impulsiveness of indulging in life's small pleasures, even at the expense of others:

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

The poem's brevity and the sensation of savoring something delightful make it a cherished piece of cherry-inspired poetry.

2. "Cherry Ripe" by Thomas Campion

Thomas Campion's poem "Cherry Ripe" beautifully expresses the sensuality and allure of cherries. The poet describes the cherries as ripe and tempting, using vivid imagery to evoke a sense of desire:

Cherry ripe, cherry ripe,
Ripe I cry
Full and fair ones
Come and buy

If so be you ask me where
They do grow
I answer, there
Where my Julia's lips do smile

There's the land, or cherry-isle

Through Campion's words, we can almost taste the sweetness of the cherries and feel the intensity of desire they represent.

3. "The Cherry Trees" by Edward Thomas

Edward Thomas' poem "The Cherry Trees" offers a different perspective on cherries, focusing on their natural beauty and the emotions they evoke. The poem describes cherry trees blooming and their flowers falling like snowflakes, creating an enchanting scene:

The cherry trees bend over and are shedding
On the old road where all that passed are dead,
Their petals, strewing the grass as for a wedding,
This early May morn when there is none to wed.

Thomas' poem encapsulates the fleeting nature of cherries, emphasizing the transience and fragility of life itself.

Cherries have inspired countless poets to weave words that capture their beauty, symbolism, and the emotions they evoke. Whether cherries symbolize love, desire, or the passage of time, these poems remind us of the power of words to immortalize the simplest pleasures in life. As we savor the sweetness of cherries, let us also relish the sweetness of these poetic verses that celebrate the allure of this beloved fruit.