Addenda to Berger's Best Friends: I didn't mention it in my review -- because you can clot a small review with only so many references -- that Berger's novel also reminded me of Blake's "A Poison Tree," a poem that has always much impressed me: it reflects the way resentment or bitterness can eventually assume a shape, a deceptive though no less lethal shape.


A Poison Tree
William Blake

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 water'd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with my 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 veil'd the pole:
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretch'd beneath the tree.