Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Hippo" is a short and playful poem by Theodore Roethke that describes a creature with contradictory and elusive qualities. The poem begins with the speaker describing the creature's head and tail, which seem to be interchangeable: "His head is tail, his tail is head." The poem then goes on to describe the creature's other characteristics, such as its "jaws that snap like a spring" and "scales like polished steel."

The poem seems to be a whimsical exploration of the concept of identity and the elusive nature of perception. The creature is presented as a puzzle or a riddle, with its contradictory qualities challenging the reader's understanding of what is real and what is imagined. The poem also has a sense of playfulness and humor, as Roethke invites the reader to engage with the absurdity of the creature and its bizarre characteristics.

Overall, "The Hippo?" is a short and playful poem that invites the reader to explore the nature of identity and perception in a whimsical and entertaining way.