Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Vulture" is a poem by Robinson Jeffers, first published in 1935. The poem reflects on the beauty and power of nature, and the darker aspects of the natural world, particularly the role of predation and death.

Explanation:

The poem begins with a description of a vulture, soaring through the sky with "motionless wings". The speaker emphasizes the bird's power and grace, as well as its role as a scavenger and predator. The poem suggests that the vulture is a necessary part of the natural world, despite its gruesome habits.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the broader themes of predation and death, suggesting that these forces are an inevitable part of the natural world. The poem emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and death, and suggests that the vulture plays an important role in this cycle.

The poem ends on a note of reflection, with the speaker suggesting that humans, too, are subject to the same forces of nature, and that we must learn to accept and appreciate the darker aspects of the natural world.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Vulture" is a free-verse poem with no set rhyme scheme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid and powerful imagery, particularly in its descriptions of the vulture and its actions.
• Metaphor: The vulture is used as a metaphor for the broader themes of predation and death, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and the importance of these forces in the natural world.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is both reflective and urgent, emphasizing the importance of accepting and appreciating the darker aspects of the natural world.

Summary:

"Vulture" is a powerful and insightful poem that reflects on the beauty and power of nature, and the darker aspects of the natural world. Jeffers' poem emphasizes the importance of accepting and appreciating the role of predation and death in the natural world, and of recognizing the cyclical nature of life and death. It is a reminder of the complexity and richness of the natural world, and of the need to appreciate and protect the creatures and landscapes around us.

Poem Snippet:

"Between him and the sun I saw

The huge wings of the vulture

Stretch upward, sailing

Web-winged, homely, unspotted,

Spewed up like a gap in nature."

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