Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Evening Hawk" is a poem by Robert Penn Warren, written in 1957. The poem portrays the majestic flight of a hawk as it soars through the sky during sunset, and explores the themes of time, mortality, and the cyclical nature of life.

Explanation:

The poem begins with a description of the evening sky as the sun sets and darkness starts to creep in. The speaker then shifts their focus to a hawk that is flying through the sky, and describes the bird's majestic movements and powerful wings as it swoops and soars.

As the poem progresses, the speaker contemplates the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality. The hawk becomes a symbol for the fleeting nature of life, and the speaker reflects on the fact that all living creatures must eventually face their own mortality.

The speaker also explores the cyclical nature of life, as the hawk's flight mirrors the patterns of the natural world, from the cycles of day and night to the changing of the seasons. The poem ultimately suggests that although all living things must eventually come to an end, there is also a sense of renewal and rebirth in the cyclical nature of life.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no set rhyme scheme.
• Theme: The poem explores the themes of time, mortality, and the cyclical nature of life.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to portray the hawk's flight and the changing colors of the evening sky.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, as the speaker contemplates the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality.
• Sound: The poem uses alliteration and consonance to create a sense of movement and rhythm, mimicking the hawk's flight.
• Language: The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, with a focus on concrete imagery.
• Figurative language: The poem uses the hawk as a symbol for the fleeting nature of life and the cyclical patterns of the natural world.
• Structure: The irregular line lengths and lack of rhyme scheme in the poem create a sense of fluidity and movement, mirroring the flight of the hawk.
• Symbolism: The hawk becomes a symbol for the passage of time, mortality, and the cyclical nature of life.
• Emotion: The poem evokes a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the natural world, while also reflecting on the sobering realities of mortality and the passing of time.

Conclusion:

"Evening Hawk" by Robert Penn Warren is a contemplative poem that reflects on the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life. Through the majestic flight of a hawk and the changing colors of the evening sky, the poem explores themes of mortality, renewal, and interconnectedness. The irregular structure and use of figurative language create a sense of movement and fluidity, mimicking the flight of the hawk and emphasizing the cyclical patterns of the natural world. Ultimately, the poem suggests that although all living things must eventually come to an end, there is also a sense of renewal and rebirth in the cyclical nature of life.

Poem Snippet:

"The air is still. The sky is low.

The owl is up in a tree.

And a solitary moon

rises over the black branches."