How William Blake’s A Poison Tree Teaches the Power of Honest Communication in Relationships

William Blake’s portrait engraved by W. C. Edward

A Poison Tree WILLIAM BLAKE Analysis On Communication

William Blake was an English poet, artist, and visionary thinker. Perhaps best known for his mysticism and complex symbolism.

Blake had a unique talent for blending words and images,–creating powerful, almost otherworldly works. One of his most well-known lines comes from his 1803 poem Allegories of Innocence:

“To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a Heaven in a wildflower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.”

These words capture his unique way of seeing the universe, finding the infinite in the smallest things.

Though he wasn’t widely recognized in his time, today he’s considered one of the most original and influential artists of the Romantic era.

His poetry often explored concepts such as good and evil, the physical and the divine–encouraging people to look beyond the surface and find deeper meaning in everyday life.

That’s why lines like “To see a world in a grain of sand…” hit so hard because he’s reminding us that even the smallest things can hold infinite meaning.

A POISON TREE WILLIAM BLAKE Analysis On Communication

I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath; my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not; my wrath did grow. And I watered it in fears, night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with smiles and with soft deceitful wiles. And it grew both day and night, till it bore an apple bright; And my foe beheld it shine, and he knew that it was mine, and into my garden stole, When the night had veiled the pole: In the morning glad I see My foe outstretched beneath the tree.”  WILLIAM BLAKE (1757-1827)

In plain English:

I was mad at my friend, so I spoke up, and just like that, my anger faded.

But when I was mad at my enemy, I kept it to myself—and that anger only grew.

I fed it with fear, watered it with tears, and hid it behind fake smiles and little lies.

And over time, it grew bigger and stronger, until it finally bore a tempting, shiny apple.

My enemy saw it, knew it was mine, and snuck into my garden one night to take it.

By morning, there he was—lying beneath the tree.

…

The message expressed here is quite profound.

It doesn’t just apply to personal relationships but also in dealing with everyone in your life.

A Poison Tree” powerfully reminds us of the importance of communication in maintaining loving relationships. Communication is key to keeping connections healthy and avoiding emotional distress or pent-up emotions.

Life of William Blake (1880), volume 1, facing page 374. Gilchrist’s Life.

Conflict is a natural part of any relationship, because there’s no way two people can agree on everything all the time.

And honestly, if they did, what would be the point?

Friendships, soulmates, these relationships aren’t always with people who think just like you. More often, they’re the ones who challenge you the most, the ones who know exactly how to push your buttons.

And that’s not always a bad thing.

In fact, that’s why they’re important.

The people who frustrate us the most often have the most to teach us—about ourselves, our triggers, and how we grow.

As spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle puts it, “When someone makes you furious, take a step back; because in that moment, you’ll realize, they’re also your greatest teacher.”

Thomas Malkin by William Blake engraved by William Blake

If you want to bring the message of William Blake’s poem into your own life, here are a few simple ways to start:

• If you’re stuck in a silent standoff–whether it’s your choice or not, take the first step to break the ice. A small, positive gesture can go a long way.
• Set a time limit for how long you’ll stay silent. If you decide on an hour, stick to it. No matter how awkward or upset you feel, make the effort to talk things out.
• Don’t go to bed angry. Holding onto resentment only makes things worse,–creating distance and tension. So let it go before it grows into something bigger, because it will impact the field of energy that you both share and intensify the growth of a poison tree.

…

Blake’s work might seem deep and mysterious, but at its heart, he was simply encouraging us to see the world differently, to open our eyes and use our imagination.

Through his poetry, paintings, and engravings, he reminded us that there’s always more beneath the surface and that better communication can help us understand each other.

So, the more open and honest you are–especially when you don’t agree with someone—the less likely things will turn into something messy or toxic.

Hope you found this post helpful, and I’ll see you in the next one. 🙂