The Poison

The purpose of this assignment was to abstract a poem. I chose Blake's poem "A Poison Tree". My objective was to embody anger and wrath in an organic form. I strived to give the piece a kind of vitality in hopes that the viewer might get the sense that this piece was continuously growing and evolving. At the same time I wanted to counteract the obviously dangerous nature of the piece with a delicate side. I wanted to show that this rage has been nurtured and cared for so meticulously. Not unlike the way a gardener might prune his or her plants or an enthusiast would carefully plan the design of a bonsai, this anger despite its outward chaotic appearance is very controlled. Any comments are welcome.

A Poison Tree
Poem lyrics of A Poison Tree by William Blake.
I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe;
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I water'd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with my smiles
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright;
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole
When the night had veil'd the pole:
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree