The Unplanted Voices

 

  Trees

(Poem) by J. Antonio Carpio

Introduction 

In a world where environmental rules frequently conflict with justice and success, the poem vividly depicts the hidden conflicts between forced restrictions and their real-world consequences.

This poem “Trees” by Antonio Carpio challenges environmental rules by expressing disagreement with the decree telling the people to plant trees. It reflects the SDGs 13, 15, and 16, which address climate action, nature protection, and justice. In today's quickly changing world, sustainable development is becoming increasingly important for safeguarding the planet's health and the well-being of its inhabitants. Moreover, one critical component of this is the protection and preservation of our natural environment which frequently includes laws and regulations that promote responsible land use and replanting.  However, as we handle these environmental difficulties, it is important to acknowledge the conflict that can exist between individual freedoms and shared duties. Thus, this poem also expresses a personal perspective on the contradiction between individual choice and environmental rules, emphasizing the complex issues and emotions involved in such decisions. Consequently, this lens allows us to gain a better understanding of the broader discussion about environmental stewardship and sustainability. Furthermore, this poem depicts justice as strong and resilient, much like trees that need to be tended to and preserved. These trees stand for the solid basis of the rule of law, enduring threats and difficulties from outside. The poem highlights the need for justice in society by drawing a comparison between it; and sturdy trees, which are necessary for stability and equity. Furthermore, the poem relates to the law in Article XIII, which emphasizes the protection and management of forest lands. By means of this metaphor, Antonio Carpio delved into philosophical ideas like resilience and the moral obligation to protect justice, emphasizing the latter's significance in upholding moral integrity and societal stability.

Summary

This poem represents how humans have ruined nature for selfish reasons. It represents justice that's sturdy and strong, like trees that must be cared for and preserved. In the poem, Antonio Carpio explains his refusal to plant a tree, citing his view that following such a decree would make him feel chained rather than free. The speaker believes that the decree, which requires tree planting, unfairly limits personal choice and freedom. The speaker believes that the unfairness is caused by the application of this decree, which hinders individual autonomy. This sentiment indicates a reaction to a situation in which personal freedom is believed to be endangered by forced action. The speaker claims that planting a tree would rob him of the joy and personal choice he has had from childhood, and sees the decree as the result of misplaced authority rather than a valid policy. The critique reflects a broader view that such decrees are foolish and infringe on individual rights and justice. Additionally, the law in Article XIII, National Economy and Patrimony, provides a crucial legal foundation to protect trees and forests. This revision incorporates philosophical concepts such as autonomy, justice, and the nature of freedom, contrasting individual choice with imposed regulations.

Analysis and Interpretation

Antonio Carpio’s poem entitled “Trees” comes off as a poignant reflection on the relationship between humans and nature. In this poem, it directly addresses the themes of personal and environmental responsibility in the eyes of 1 person. This poem was written from the first person point of view. Hence, the poet, Antonio Carpio, is also the speaker of this poem justified by the choice of the first person point of view pronouns “I, me, and us”. This can be seen in many lines across the poem, such as the lines: “I think I shall not plant a tree”, “Why should they rob me of the joy I’ve known since I was still a boy”, and “Then let the burden on us fall?”. In terms of individual freedom versus governmental mandates, the speaker’s steady and unwavering resistance to planting a tree so as to defy a decree most likely mandated by the government reflects on the historical and biographical contexts wherein individuals such as the speaker have resisted or rebelled against external or outside controls on their own personal, environmental, and economic decisions. This resistance shown by the speaker can be read from these lines: “I just don’t wanna be a slave of any mortal same as me!” and “That’s why I will not plant a tree, I say– ‘to hell with that decree!’” In correspondence to the poet’s life, this steady resistance might reflect on the experiences that he has had which regards environmental or political mandates.

As one delves into the poet’s background, one will find that Antonio Carpio is a former associate judge of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. On October 26, 2001, he was sworn in as a member of the Supreme Court by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. There, he served until his retirement on the 26th of October 2019. This information brings light to the fact that this poem might not only directly address the themes of personal and environmental responsibility, but also indirectly address the Philippines’ justice system. “Why let the loggers roam at will, denuding every virgin hill, then let the burden on us fall? Where is the justice of all?” These lines serve as metaphors for the Philippines’ justice system wherein much like the illegal loggers in this poem, the lawmakers or legislators, government officials and/or the high ranking people in the government frequently violate or bypass the law through their connections and high ranking in the government. Due to their corrupt practices, the justice system in the Philippines remains to be unfair, meaning it does not effectively serve and protect the rights of all citizens. Given that Antonio Carpio was an associate judge of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, it is within one’s belief that he—during his time as a member up until his retirement—has witnessed numerous instances of unlawful acts committed by some government officials. During the time Antonio Carpio was seated in the Supreme Court of the Philippines, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was charged with electoral fraud and had a series of corruption cases brought against her. Therefore, the lines “Why let the loggers roam at will, denuding every virgin hill, then let the burden on us fall? Where is the justice of all?” indirectly refer to the corrupt government officials which are the illegal loggers in this poem, as the people are forced to plant trees (follow and adhere to the law), the illegal loggers (corrupt government officials) continue to illegally cut down the beloved trees (violate the law) planted by the people. Consequently, due to the harm caused by the illegal loggers (government officials), the burden or effect of their actions fall on the people or the nation. As indirectly depicted in this poem, justice is not equally served in the Philippines, and neither is personal freedom. The speaker’s frustration—“I just don’t want to be a slave of any mortal same as me! And free I’ll be!”—depicts how sick and tired he is of constantly being mandated by a mortal just like he is, while constantly yearning for the feeling of freedom reflects on how neither justice nor freedom is equally served among the people—the mortals—of the Philippines. The poem indirectly depicts a deep yearning for liberation or freedom from the oppressive structures that govern one’s daily life, which in turn highlights how neither freedom nor justice is equally given among the people of the Philippines. Society, much like the speaker, is sick of the unjust and corruption seen in the country’s legal system; society is tired of constantly getting the shorter end of the stick just because society doesn’t have a high rank in the government. Much like the speaker’s unwavering desire to break free from the chains of an unjust authority, society has grown weary of the corrupt government that favors those of high rank, those who are powerful and wealthy. Thus, the ones who are in control of the nation should and must be honest, fair, and just in order for the betterment of not only the country, but of its people.

Furthermore, the themes of personal and environmental responsibility alongside personal freedom versus societal control further enhances the poem’s direct meaning, illustrating tension between one’s personal freedom and external authority or control. To add, the setting of this poem involves the natural landscapes that are affected by human activity, positively and negatively. With the loggers destroying the virgin hills that the decree tried to protect sparked the speaker’s desire to break free from the chains of control, because what is the point of following obediently to a decree when there are people—the loggers—who defy and test it, and they get away with it. As aforementioned, this poem also indirectly depicts the Philippines’ justice system wherein the loggers represent the corrupt government officials, the speaker represents the society, the decree represents the laws and policies mandated by the government that the society has to follow, and lastly, the cutting down of the trees or the destroying of the virgin hills represent the unlawful acts committed by corrupt and unjust government officials. This further illustrates the speaker’s desire to be free, to be able to make own personal and environmental decisions. Moreover, as stated previously, the speaker represents the individual experiencing oppression of one’s personal freedom, while the decree and the loggers symbolize the external controls or authority which impose restrictions on one’s personal freedom and choices. In the 2nd stanza, with the lines—“Why should they rob me of the joy I’ve known since I was still a boy? The thrill of growing what I chose—a pili, mango or a rose! That’s why I will not plant a tree, I say— ‘to hell with that decree!’”—this informal language utilized by the poet, combined with rhetorical questions and exclamatory statements, conveys a sense of extreme frustration and rebellion. Moreover, throughout the entirety of the poem, the speaker’s rejection or resistance against the decree and those who are in authority—“I shall not follow this decree”—was continuously mentioned which enhances the speaker’s firm stance and the emotional impact on the readers. Along with the use of rhetorical questions such as: “Why should they rob me of the joy I’ve known since I was still a boy?” and “Where is the justice of it all?” evokes an emotional response from the readers. Those rhetorical questions invite the reader to ponder regarding the fairness of the situation depicted in the poem, which in turn engages the readers in the speaker’s emotional and philosophical conflict.

In this poem which also correlates to the reality of the world, environmental issues and governmental authority are contentious topics wherein the poet criticizes both the oppressive decree and the illegal loggers, illustrating a struggle that corresponds to broader societal conflicts. As a reaction to the perceived injustice, the speaker resisted the government’s mishandling of natural resources and individual freedom. The evolution of the speaker’s worldview from passive acceptance to an active resistance of the societal rules signifies a societal awakening. This societal awakening prompted by the unfairness of the decree and the environmental impact of human activity further reflects broader concerns in the societies wherein environmental conservation laws conflict with personal freedom. The use of the terms “virgin hill” and “denuding” highlights society’s concern with the environmental impact that human activities such as illegal logging has on the natural landscape. Hence, there is tension between environmental preservation and economic or political interests. With this in mind, the need for balance between individual autonomy and collective responsibilities of human actions in terms of both personal and environmental levels are suggested. While personal freedom is essential, it must still be weighed against the imperative to protect and preserve our natural environment. With this, the poem calls for a reevaluation of the intersection of environmental policies and societal rules, wherein individual rights are respected and the duty to safeguard the planet for the present and future generations is supported.  Moreover, the speaker’s sense of defeat and loss over the joy of growing their own crops and/or trees—“Why should they rob me of the joy I’ve known since I was still a boy? The thrill of growing what I chose—a pili, mango or a rose!”—reflects a profound discontentment with the control that external forces such as authority has on one’s personal autonomy. As a reader, these lines resonate with one’s sense of personal freedom wherein one is able to understand, relate, and respond with sympathy to the speaker’s frustration and defiance against the decree. Thus, this poem serves as a powerful message to the readers of the delicate and needed balance between personal choice and external control, urging a modification of how justice and freedom are connected with personal and environmental well-being and responsibilities.

In Antonio Carpio's poem "Trees," vivid imagery and metaphors illustrate the conflict between personal freedom and authoritative decrees, reflecting broader concerns related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The poem critiques SDG 16, "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions," by questioning the fairness of decrees impacting personal freedom and advocating for transparent governance. It emphasizes the need for informed voting and active citizen participation to achieve just governance. Additionally, it engages with SDG 13, "Climate Action," by challenging the effectiveness of tree-planting measures amidst illegal logging, thus calling for more comprehensive and economically viable climate solutions. Lastly, the poem addresses SDG 15, "Life on Land," by highlighting deforestation and the importance of effective land management strategies to combat environmental degradation. Through its critique, the poem raises awareness about the need for impactful and integrated approaches to address both economic and environmental issues. 

For many creatures, including humans, forests provide clean water, air, and shelter, which is essential to life as we know it. But illegal logging and deforestation pose serious risks to these ecosystems, resulting in habitat degradation, climate change, and the uprooting of populations dependent on forest resources. For the sake of maintaining biodiversity and the long-term health of our planet, it is imperative that these challenges be addressed. Thus, in order to solve these issues, the government should put more emphasis on Article XII Section 4 of the National Economy and Patrimony Environmental Protection Law wherein it states: “The Congress shall, as soon as possible determine by law the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground. Thereafter such forest lands and national parks shall be considered and may not be increased nor diminished, except by law. The Congress shall provide, for such period as it may determine, measures to prohibit logging in endangered forests and watershed areas.” This article provides a mandate for the government to define and protect the national parks as well as the forest lands which ensures that logging activities are regulated and/or prohibited. To prevent illegal logging, the government should prioritize the identification of vulnerable areas and also regularly review and update the environmental protection laws as a response to the emerging threats to forest ecosystems. Moreover, with the advancement in technology, it is plausible to implement a technology such as drones to monitor and track deforestation in real time. With increased monitoring in vulnerable areas alongside illegal loggers being penalized and held accountable for their actions, will deter violations and protect the forests or virgin hills. As a community, we also have a way to help in combating deforestation. Deforestation and illegal logging only continue to persist because of the actions of certain individuals. This reflects how crucial it is to raise awareness and instruct individuals on what behaviors are appropriate and inappropriate when it comes to the environment. In order for us to prevent the highly unpredictable consequences of cutting down a tree, as a society/community, we can also implement programs such as "Cut a Tree, Plant Three." This initiative requires that for every tree cut down, three new trees must be planted in its place. By ensuring that more trees are grown than removed, we can restore the balance of our forests, combat deforestation, and support reforestation efforts. By engaging and involving the local communities and ourselves in activities such as tree-planting and conservation efforts, we foster a sense of environmental stewardship and responsibility in the community, boosting community support for preservation of the ever-so important forests. Since immediate action and collective responsibility are necessary to protect our forests and ensure a sustainable future for future generations as well as the environment, let's work together to put an end to these issues.

Conclusion 

    To sum up, Antonio Carpio's poem employs deforestation as a metaphor for injustices in society, portraying trees as symbols of justice that are easily destroyed by those in power, who remain unaccountable while regular citizens are faced with the responsibility of righting these wrongs. This metaphor criticizes the Philippine court system, emphasizing how corrupt officials abuse their positions, imposing unfair costs on residents. It emphasizes the significance of educated voting in electing qualified leaders who can effect genuine change. The poem also correlates with SDGs 13, 15, and 16, which emphasize the importance of effective climate action, sustainable land management, and strong governance. Carpio's work addresses these SDGs, advocating for better policies and accountability, encouraging citizens to make educated decisions, and realizing the influence of governance on justice and the environment. This holistic perspective promotes critical thinking in order to counter misconceptions and help leaders who sincerely want to improve society.