Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Against Starlings" is a poem by Stanley Plumly, published in his collection "Orphan Hours" in 2012.

Explanation:

The poem describes the speaker's attempt to protect his bluebirds from starlings, which are larger and more aggressive birds. The speaker observes the starlings' behavior and tries different tactics to ward them off, including hanging CDs and putting up fake owls. Eventually, the speaker realizes that the starlings are part of nature's cycle and that all birds have a place in the ecosystem.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: Free verse
• Theme: Nature, man vs. nature, the cycle of life and death
• Imagery: The vivid descriptions of the starlings and bluebirds, as well as the various tactics used to deter the starlings
• Tone: Frustration, determination, resignation
• Sound: Repetition, alliteration, internal rhyme
• Language: Simple, direct language with occasional moments of poetic phrasing
• Structure: The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths, with no consistent rhyme scheme
• Symbolism: The starlings represent the invasive force of nature, while the bluebirds symbolize the speaker's attempt to protect and preserve his small corner of the natural world
• Emotion: The poem evokes a range of emotions, including frustration at the starlings' aggression, determination to protect the bluebirds, and resignation to the natural order of things.

Conclusion:

"Against Starlings" is a poignant exploration of man's relationship with nature and the struggle to preserve what is precious in the face of invasive forces. The poem's vivid imagery and powerful use of language make it a compelling reflection on the complex and often fraught relationship between humanity and the natural world.

Poem Snippet:

"Against starlings I have hung

CDs and cassettes, glued

together iridescent as a rainbow

in my apple tree."