Question

what does the phrase dog-eater refer to in the poem if I was a tree

Answer 1

The poet wants to convey that is he was a tree then the rain drops wouldn't turn back as he belongs to a dog eater... Dog eater refers to the poet

Answer 2

Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy has written the poem if  I was a tree.

Explanation:

In the poem, the poet described the evil side of the Indian traditions and the society.

• He wanted to be the tree instead of man.
• He was not at all happy being the human.
• Trees wouldn't have been into the evil discrimination of caste, gender, color and size.
• Dog eaters refer to the man living in the cruel distorted society.

Trees are with the cool breeze and love for the other trees without discrimination.