This is a wistful look back at a childhood cherry tree, where memory and loss tangle together. The speaker, now older, recalls the tree’s white blossoms as “bloomy snows” that still soothe his tired, adult eyes — eyes that can no longer see the world with a boy’s pure joy. He remembers a bluejay perched on the white branches, its feathers once seeming almost impossibly vivid against the blossoms. Now, in hindsight, that brilliant blue feels strangely pale, as if the past’s colors have dimmed. The final stanza shifts from loss to gratitude: the tree, the bird, the sweet crimson fruit were real, and they belonged completely to the boy he was. The mood is tender and nostalgic, but it doesn’t sink into sorrow. Instead, it settles into a quiet, grateful peace — a celebration of simple, fleeting gifts shared between a child, a bird, and a tree.
There Was a Cherry-Tree — Summary
There was a cherry-tree. Its bloomy snows Cool even now the fevered sight that knows No more its airy visions of pure joy -- As when you were a boy.
There was a cherry-tree. The Bluejay sat His blue against its white -- O blue as jet He seemed there then!-- But now -- Whoever knew He was so pale a blue!
There was a cherry-tree -- our child-eyes saw The miracle:-- Its pure white snows did thaw Into a crimson fruitage, far too sweet But for a boy to eat.
There was a cherry-tree, give thanks and joy!-- There was a bloom of snow -- There was a boy -- There was a bluejay of the realest blue -- And fruit for both of you.