Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

POEM TEXT:

The reason for the pelican
Is difficult to see;
His beak is clearly larger
Than there's any need to be.
It's not to bail a boat with-
He doesn't own a boat
Yet everywhere he takes himself
He has that beak to tote.

It's not to keep his wife in-
His wife has got one, too.
It's not a scoop for eating soup.
It's not an extra shoe.

It isn't quite for anything.
And yet you realize
It's really quite a splendid beak
In quite a splendid size.