The Well Rising

Post » Sat May 28, 2011 5:35 pm

I need help anolyzing this poem, its too hard to understand. What I think is that nature is being destroyed, but I'm not sure if it accurate.

The Well Rising, By William E. Stafford

The well rising without sound,
the spring on a hillside,
the plowshare brimming through deep ground
everywhere in the field-
The sharp swallows in their swerve
flaring and hesitating
hunting for the final curve
coming closer and closer-
The swallow heart from wingbeat to wingbeat
counseling decision, decision:
thunderous examples. I place my feet
With care in such a world
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Nick Jase Mason
 
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Post » Sat May 28, 2011 4:10 am

I think the poem is a celebration of nature, with the last line containing a warning that we must behave and act responsibly if we are not to ruin it.
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Breanna Van Dijk
 
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Post » Sat May 28, 2011 8:59 am

It's written from the perspective of an airborne bird.
It sees what we don't, or refuse to see. It is a metaphor involving potential for destruction not only globally, but to local ecosystems. Whether destruction occursfrom naturally occuring incidents, like high water table and flooding, or from manmade trauma, the swallow must choose carefully where it will roost. The swallow finds less and less potentially safe places to land.
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Breanna Van Dijk
 
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