How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough (1-2)
Even though it's mostly a poem about making the most out of life, the opening lines make it seem like a poem about cherry trees. The first words—"Loveliest of trees"—and the description that follows make us think that it just as well have been called "Ode to a Cherry Tree."
Quote #2
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide. (3-4)
There's something almost human about the natural world. The personification makes us think of the cherry tree as a person dressing for the season. How cute.
Quote #3
And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room, (9-10)
Okay, 50 years is plenty of time, but that's not really the point. Nature is incredible. It is so rich and varied that you literally spend your entire life just looking at it.
Quote #4
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow (11-12)
Is the speaker going to look at white cherry blossoms, or to confront death ("snow" symbolizes winter, and hence death)? He wants both to look at beautiful, white blossoms, but also to observe death in the natural world (maybe so he can better accept his own).