The Poem Tree

Engraved in 1844 on a tree at Wittenham Clumps by Joseph Tubb.
Zoe and I spent some time learning about this today while walking the dog, and it was really interesting.

The tree died in the 1990s and rotted completely while standing, before collapsing during a period of inclement weather in July 2012.
Thankfully in 1965 Dr. Henry Osmaston made a tracing of the carving - I love the textual distortion from the trees growth over a hundred years.

The poem itself is pretty great at sharing incredible insights into the rich history of this rare of Oxfordshire…
The full poem follows :

The Poem Tree

As up the hill with labring steps we tread
Where the twin Clumps their sheltering branches spread
The summit gain'd at ease reclining lay
And all around the wide spread scene survey
Point out each object and instructive tell 
The various changes that the land befel
Where the low bank the country wide surrounds
That ancient earthwork forridold Murcias bounds.
In misty distance see the barrow heave
There lies forgotten lonely Culchelms grave.

Around this hill the ruthless Danes intrenched 
And these fair plains with gory slaughter drench’d
While at our feet where stands that stately tower
In days gone by uprose the Roman power And yonder, 
there where Thames smooth waters glide In later days appeared monastic pride.
Within that field where lies the grazing herd
Huge walls were found, some coffins disinter d 
Such is the course of time, the wreck which fate 
And awiul doom award the earthly great.

….. and here I am, 160 years later…sharing the poem with potentially anyone in the world with access to the internet.