Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BIRD-WITTED by MARIANNE MOORE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: WITH INNOCENT WIDE PENGUIN EYES
Last Line: WITH BAYONET BEAK AND CRUEL WINGS, THE %INTELLECTUAL CAUTIOUSLY CREEPING CAT
Subject(s): MOCKINGBIRDS;
With innocent wide penguin eyes, three
large fledgling mocking-birds below
the *bleep*-willow tree,
stand in a row,
wings touching, feebly solemn,
till they see
their no longer larger
mother bringing
something which will partially
feed on of them.

Toward the high-keyed intermittent squeak
of broken-carriage springs, made by
the three similar, meek-
coated bird's-eye
freckled forms she comes; and when
from the beak
of one, the still living
beetle has dropped
out, she picks it up and puts
it in again.



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