Robert Hass is arguing that words cannot capture the beauty in nature. He is describing the majestic movements of the leaves on a tree, but does not feel like he is doing an adequate job. He tries to describe it but feels he is undermining the beauty of the tree, which causes him to simply say, “Aspens are doing something in the wind”. The “something” (leaves dancing as a result of the wind) is what Hass is having difficulties describing. It is difficult for Hass to describe what he sees because he cannot paint as vivid a picture as seeing a tree blowing in person (“There are limits to saying,/In language, what the tree did”). At this point, Hass probably feels that a video will likely be the best way to capture the tree’s magnificence.
The line, “Dance with me, dancer. Oh I will” is interesting because Hass changes who he is addressing. Before this line, he was talking to his audience, now, he is addressing the tree. He is captivated by the tree’s beauty and wants to continue to enjoy this moment of watching the tree dance. I believe he is talking to the tree because in this line, “And the tree danced. No/The tree capitalized” (which was mentioned before the “Dance” line), because this line represents the shift in Hass’ poem because he makes “an” Aspen tree, “the” Aspen tree.
Hey Jeremy - you are absolutely correct in your analysis, but I am wondering.... where is the voice you share with us out loud? where is the flash, the sparkle, the wit -- the sound of what makes you you. You can write that way, too.
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