PEAR TREE by H. D.

Editor's note

H. D. starts with an unexpected twist: the tree's white blossoms are likened to **silver dust** floating upward instead of being fixed and motionless. This imagery instantly gives the tree a sense of lightness and enchantment, as if it were in the process of rising rather than merely existing.

Editor's note

The speaker stands next to the tree, trying to measure its height against her own body — she can't quite reach the top — and this comparison makes the tree's height feel tangible and somewhat humbling. The word **mounted** gives the tree a lively, almost heroic character, as if it has climbed up on its own. The direct address **O silver** makes the tree seem like a worthy being to converse with.

Editor's note

Here, the speaker boldly asserts that no other flower has ever been this purely and stubbornly white. The word **staunch** carries significant weight—it typically refers to loyalty or courage in people, which gives the petal an almost defiant character. The repeated use of **silver** in the next line reinforces the notion that this whiteness is both rare and valuable.

Editor's note

The final stanza moves from straightforward description to something more hopeful. The **flower-tufts thick on the branch** are so dense they seem to promise that this white abundance will eventually yield fruit. The last image of **purple hearts** within the ripe pears offers a vivid color contrast — white blossoms transitioning to dark, sweet interiors — implying that beauty and richness are already tucked away inside what may seem merely decorative.