A Poison Tree Poem - Meaning by stanza

Stanza 1

• The persona is angry at his friend and talks it out. His anger dissipated and they continue the friendship. 
• However, when he is angry with his enemy, he keeps quiet. Then, his anger grows even more within him.

Stanza 2

• He lets his anger grows day and night. He acts in deceitful ways toward his enemy.

Stanza 3

• The poison tree of anger eventually bears fruit which is an 'apple bright'.
• The enemy knows it belongs to the persona.
• The apple is very attractive to the enemy.

Stanza 4

• The apple is attractive and lures the enemy who sneaks into the persona's garden at night.
• At night, the 'pole star' is hidden and cannot protect the enemy from the danger of the 'apple bright'.
• The 'pole star' is the North Star or Polaris, a bright star permanently in the sky still used by navigators to avoid dangers while travelling. 
• The enemy eats the apple and is poisoned.
• The persona is satisfied.