Washington McNeely looks back on a life that seemed outwardly successful: wealth, respect, a fine house, and many promising children whom he sent to good schools and set up in the world. But the poem becomes a quiet catalog of disasters. One son flees in disgrace, another kills himself, a daughter dies in childbirth, another is divorced, and still others fade into illness or isolation. Through all of this, McNeely keeps repeating that he sat under his cedar tree. That refrain gives the poem a numb, almost stunned feeling. He does not rage or explain; he simply watches from the shade as his family falls apart. The mood is mournful and detached, with a bitter irony underneath. In the end, the speaker turns to the earth as the only gentle presence left, as if death itself is the one rest he can trust.
Washington McNeely — Summary
Rich, honored by my fellow citizens, The father of many children, born of a noble mother, All raised there In the great mansion—house, at the edge of town. Note the cedar tree on the lawn! I sent all the boys to Ann Arbor, all of the girls to Rockford, The while my life went on, getting more riches and honors— Resting under my cedar tree at evening. The years went on. I sent the girls to Europe; I dowered them when married. I gave the boys money to start in business. They were strong children, promising as apples Before the bitten places show. But John fled the country in disgrace. Jenny died in child-birth— I sat under my cedar tree. Harry killed himself after a debauch, Susan was divorced— I sat under my cedar tree. Paul was invalided from over study, Mary became a recluse at home for love of a man— I sat under my cedar tree. All were gone, or broken-winged or devoured by life— I sat under my cedar tree. My mate, the mother of them, was taken— I sat under my cedar tree, Till ninety years were tolled. O maternal Earth, which rocks the fallen leaf to sleep.