HSC – Grade 11 – English – Poem – Ch 0201 – QA

The poem does not follow a fixed or regular rhyming scheme throughout. Instead, it employs a free verse style with occasional end rhymes.

For example, in the opening lines:

Eight years have passed
 Since I placed my cherry seed in the grass.
 “Must have a tree of my own,” I said,
 And watered it once and went to bed.

Here, we can see a loose AABB rhyme pattern:

• passed / grass (A)
• said / bed (B)

However, this pattern does not remain consistent throughout the poem. Some stanzas follow free verse, while others include occasional rhymes such as:

And moon-moths and singing crickets and I
 Yes I! – praised night and stars and tree:
 That small, the cherry, grown by me.

Here, “I” / “tree” / “me” have a near rhyme or assonance, not perfect rhyme.

Explanation:

• The poem mostly follows free verse: it does not rely on a strict rhyming pattern, which gives it a natural, conversational tone.
• Occasional rhymes and internal rhythms are used to maintain musicality and flow, but not in a patterned way.
• This flexible structure suits the theme of natural growth and the spontaneity of life, echoing how the cherry tree itself grew unpredictably over time.
• The free verse form also reflects the poet’s personal reflections, making the poem more intimate and fluid.

Conclusion:

Rhyming Scheme: Free verse with occasional rhymes
 Effect: Allows for natural expression, matches the gentle, reflective mood of the poem, and mirrors the organic growth of the cherry tree.