Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Windhover: To Christ Our Lord" is a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, first published in 1918. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and majesty of a bird of prey, known as a windhover or kestrel, and is also an expression of the poet's faith in God.

The poem is structured as a sonnet, with an irregular rhyme scheme. In the first line, the speaker describes the windhover as "kingdomed" and "crowned," suggesting that it is a symbol of royalty and majesty.

In the second line, the speaker describes the bird's movements as it hovers in the air, suggesting that it is a symbol of grace and beauty.

In the third and fourth lines, the speaker describes the bird's eyes and its keen sense of sight, suggesting that it is a symbol of spiritual insight and awareness.

In the fifth and sixth lines, the speaker reflects on the bird's wings, and suggests that they are a symbol of the power and energy of God.

In the final lines, the speaker addresses Christ directly, and suggests that the beauty and majesty of the windhover are a reflection of the divine power and grace that permeates all of creation.

Overall, "The Windhover: To Christ Our Lord" is a powerful and moving poem that celebrates the beauty and majesty of the natural world, and offers a powerful meditation on the spiritual and divine dimensions of the human experience. Through his use of vivid language and imagery, Hopkins creates a sense of the transcendent and the sublime, and offers a poignant reminder of the enduring power of faith and the divine in the human experience.