Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sexual Selection Among Birds" is a poem by Marge Piercy, an American poet, novelist, and social activist. The poem was published in 1973 in her poetry collection titled "Living in the Open."

Plot Explanation: The poem is about the evolutionary concept of sexual selection, which is the process by which certain physical traits in animals become more prevalent over time due to their attractiveness to potential mates. The poem portrays the competitive nature of the mating game and the persistence of desire in the face of rejection. Piercy uses the example of male birds with bright plumage and elaborate courtship displays to illustrate this concept. She contrasts this with the way human society often values material possessions and superficial appearance over substance and character.

Poetic Elements:

• Free verse structure without a specific rhyme scheme or meter
• Use of vivid imagery to describe the birds and their behavior
• Metaphors comparing the birds' behavior to human society's values and norms
• Use of repetition to emphasize the idea of "the choice of the mate"
• Use of allusion to reference Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution
• Use of enjambment to create a flowing rhythm and emphasize certain words and phrases
• Use of irony to highlight the contrast between the natural world and human society's values

Conclusion:

 "Sexual Selection Among Birds" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the idea of sexual selection in nature and how it contrasts with human society's values. Piercy uses vivid imagery and metaphors to make a commentary on the importance of character and substance over superficial appearance and possessions.

Poem Snippet:

"the choice of the mate

in its finest sense

is the choice of the best

of what one is"