Stanza 1:
- The speaker describes a forest as a "book of leaves" and highlights its stillness.
- He acknowledges the presence of an axe nearby, suggesting a possible disturbance of the serene environment.
Stanza 2:
- The poem emphasizes the axe's potential for destruction, comparing it to a "dormant cobra."
- The axe's form is described in detail, highlighting its sharp edge and the tension it creates.
Stanza 3:
- The poet shifts to a larger perspective, describing the forest as a "green cathedral."
- He sees the axe as an instrument that could bring a violent end to the peaceful forest.
Stanza 4:
- The speaker imagines the forest as a giant heart pumping blood (sap) through its vessels (branches).
- The axe is portrayed as a potential threat to this life-giving system, with the power to bring an abrupt end to it.
Stanza 5:
- The poem delves into the concept of duality, suggesting that every act of creation or destruction carries a dual nature.
- The speaker emphasizes that even when the axe falls and chops the tree, it also creates a new seed and the potential for new growth.
Stanza 6:
- The final lines of the poem reiterate the idea of duality and the continuous cycle of life and death in nature.
- The speaker states that every "fall" (referring to the axe's blow) is also a kind of "birth."
Overall, "The Axe in Wood" explores the balance between creation and destruction, highlighting the inherent tension between the stillness and serenity of nature and the potential for its disruption. It suggests that even in destructive acts, there's a hidden seed of new life and an ever-turning cycle of existence.