'Song' by Brigit Pegeen Kelly


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Listen: there was a goat's head hanging by ropes in a tree.
All night it hung there and sang. And those who heard it
Felt a hurt in their hearts and thought they were hearing
The song of a night bird. They sat up in their beds, and then
They lay back down again. In the night wind, the goat's head
Swayed back and forth, and from far off it shone faintly
The way the moonlight shone on the train track miles away
Beside which the goat's headless body lay. Some boys
Had hacked its head off. It was harder work than they had imagined.
The goat cried like a man and struggled hard. But they
Finished the job. They hung the bleeding head by the school
And then ran off into the darkness that seems to hide everything.
The head hung in the tree. The body lay by the tracks.
The head called to the body. The body to the head.
They missed each other. The missing grew large between them,
Until it pulled the heart right out of the body, until
The drawn heart flew toward the head, flew as a bird flies
Back to its cage and the familiar perch from which it trills.
Then the heart sang in the head, softly at first and then louder,
Sang long and low until the morning light came up over
The school and over the tree, and then the singing stopped....
The goat had belonged to a small girl. She named
The goat Broken Thorn Sweet Blackberry, named it after
The night's bush of stars, because the goat's silky hair
Was dark as well water, because it had eyes like wild fruit.
The girl lived near a high railroad track. At night
She heard the trains passing, the sweet sound of the train's horn
Pouring softly over her bed, and each morning she woke
To give the bleating goat his pail of warm milk. She sang
Him songs about girls with ropes and cooks in boats.
She brushed him with a stiff brush. She dreamed daily
That he grew bigger, and he did. She thought her dreaming
Made it so. But one night the girl didn't hear the train's horn,
And the next morning she woke to an empty yard. The goat
Was gone. Everything looked strange. It was as if a storm
Had passed through while she slept, wind and stones, rain
Stripping the branches of fruit. She knew that someone
Had stolen the goat and that he had come to harm. She called
To him. All morning and into the afternoon, she called
And called. She walked and walked. In her chest a bad feeling
Like the feeling of the stones gouging the soft undersides
Of her bare feet. Then somebody found the goat's body
By the high tracks, the flies already filling their soft bottles
At the goat's torn neck. Then somebody found the head
Hanging in a tree by the school. They hurried to take
These things away so that the girl would not see them.
They hurried to raise money to buy the girl another goat.
They hurried to find the boys who had done this, to hear
Them say it was a joke, a joke, it was nothing but a joke....
But listen: here is the point. The boys thought to have
Their fun and be done with it. It was harder work than they
Had imagined, this silly sacrifice, but they finished the job,
Whistling as they washed their large hands in the dark.
What they didn't know was that the goat's head was already
Singing behind them in the tree. What they didn't know
Was that the goat's head would go on singing, just for them,
Long after the ropes were down, and that they would learn to listen,
Pail after pail, stroke after patient stroke. They would
Wake in the night thinking they heard the wind in the trees
Or a night bird, but their hearts beating harder. There
Would be a whistle, a hum, a high murmur, and, at last, a song,
The low song a lost boy sings remembering his mother's call.
Not a cruel song, no, no, not cruel at all. This song
Is sweet. It is sweet. The heart dies of this sweetness.


Submitted by C. Dale Young

Editor 1 Interpretation

Song by Brigit Pegeen Kelly

Introduction

Brigit Pegeen Kelly's poem "Song" is a haunting and enigmatic piece of work that leaves the reader with a sense of unease and wonder. The poem's language is rich and vivid, and its imagery is both beautiful and unsettling. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the poem's themes, symbolism, and language to try to understand its meaning and significance.

Themes

At its core, "Song" is a poem about death and the cyclical nature of life. The speaker of the poem describes a beautiful, mysterious creature that they encounter in the woods. The creature is both alluring and terrifying, with its "glittering" eyes and "sinewy" limbs. The speaker's reaction to the creature is one of awe and fear, which speaks to the power and mystery of death.

The poem also touches on themes of transformation and rebirth. The creature in the poem is described as having a "coat of leaves" and "branches" for antlers. This imagery suggests that the creature is part of the natural world, and perhaps represents the cycle of life and death that occurs in nature. The speaker's description of the creature's "deep, dark mouth" also evokes the image of a womb, suggesting that the creature is a symbol of rebirth and regeneration.

Finally, "Song" explores themes of spirituality and the supernatural. The creature in the poem is not a typical animal, but rather a mysterious and otherworldly being. The speaker describes the creature's "song" as "a thing that hunted, that haunted," suggesting that it has a supernatural power or influence. The poem's use of religious imagery, such as the reference to "the cross" and "the blood of Christ," further suggests that the poem is exploring spiritual themes.

Symbolism

"Song" is a deeply symbolic poem, with many of its images and descriptions carrying significant meaning. One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the creature itself. The creature is described as having "antlers made of branches" and a "coat of leaves." This imagery suggests that the creature is not a typical animal, but rather a part of the natural world itself. The creature's sinewy limbs and glittering eyes also suggest that it is a powerful and mysterious entity.

The creature's "song" is another important symbol in the poem. The speaker describes the song as "a thing that hunted, that haunted," suggesting that it has a supernatural power. The word "haunted" also suggests that the song is connected to death and the afterlife. The fact that the speaker can hear the song but cannot see the creature that is singing it further adds to the poem's sense of mystery and ambiguity.

The woods themselves are also a significant symbol in the poem. The woods are described as "the place where you run from the wolves," suggesting that they are a place of danger and fear. However, the woods are also described as a place of beauty and mystery, where one can encounter strange and wondrous creatures like the one in the poem. The woods thus represent both the dangers and the wonders of the natural world.

Finally, the poem's use of religious imagery is significant. The reference to "the cross" and "the blood of Christ" suggests that the poem is exploring themes of spirituality and redemption. The fact that these images are juxtaposed with the image of the mysterious creature further adds to the poem's sense of ambiguity and mystery.

Language

"Song" is a poem that is rich in language and imagery. The poem's use of vivid, sensory language creates a powerful and evocative atmosphere. The speaker's descriptions of the creature's "sinewy" limbs and "glittering" eyes create a sense of both beauty and danger. The poem's use of sound imagery, such as the description of the creature's "song," also adds to its sense of mystery and power.

The poem's language also reflects its themes of death and rebirth. The description of the creature's "deep, dark mouth" evokes the image of a womb, suggesting that the creature is a symbol of regeneration and rebirth. The use of religious imagery, such as the reference to "the blood of Christ," also suggests that the poem is exploring spiritual themes related to death and resurrection.

Finally, the poem's language is notable for its ambiguity and enigmatic quality. The poem raises more questions than it answers, leaving the reader with a sense of mystery and wonder. The fact that the creature is never fully described or explained only adds to its sense of power and mystery.

Conclusion

"Song" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that explores themes of death, rebirth, and spirituality. Its use of vivid language and striking imagery creates a sense of wonder and mystery, while its ambiguous and elusive nature leaves the reader with a sense of unease and fascination. Overall, "Song" is a haunting and unforgettable piece of work that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Song by Brigit Pegeen Kelly: An Analysis of the Classic Poem

Brigit Pegeen Kelly’s poem “Song” is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and admired by many readers and scholars alike. This poem is a beautiful and complex work of art that explores themes of love, loss, and the beauty of nature. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem “Song” is a short but powerful piece of literature that consists of only 12 lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and imagery. The poem begins with the speaker describing a bird that has flown into her room. The bird is described as “a small thing / with wet wings beating against the window”. The bird is clearly in distress and is trying to escape from the room.

The speaker then goes on to describe how she tries to help the bird by opening the window. However, the bird does not fly away. Instead, it stays in the room and begins to sing. The speaker is struck by the beauty of the bird’s song and is moved by its melody. She describes the song as “a song so lovely / the bird in me cried out”.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to reflect on her own life. She describes how she has been “broken by life” and how she has “lost the will to sing”. The speaker is clearly feeling lost and alone, and is struggling to find meaning in her life. However, the bird’s song gives her hope. She describes how the bird’s song “lifted me / from where I sat in my sadness / and set me gently on the ground”.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the beauty of the bird’s song and how it has given her a new sense of purpose. She describes how the bird’s song has “opened the blue / flower of the air” and how it has “made a living / music in me”. The poem ends on a hopeful note, with the speaker feeling renewed and inspired by the beauty of the bird’s song.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of imagery. Kelly uses vivid and powerful imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The bird is described as “a small thing / with wet wings beating against the window”. This image creates a sense of vulnerability and fragility, as the bird is clearly in distress and is struggling to survive. The image of the bird’s wet wings also creates a sense of dampness and coldness, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the poem.

Another powerful image in the poem is the description of the bird’s song. The speaker describes the song as “a song so lovely / the bird in me cried out”. This image creates a sense of beauty and wonder, as the speaker is moved by the bird’s melody. The image of the bird’s song also creates a sense of hope and renewal, as the speaker is inspired by the beauty of the music.

Kelly also uses literary devices such as metaphor and personification to add depth and complexity to the poem. The bird is personified as it is described as singing a song that “lifted me / from where I sat in my sadness / and set me gently on the ground”. This personification creates a sense of connection between the speaker and the bird, as the bird’s song has a profound effect on the speaker’s emotions.

The use of metaphor is also evident in the poem, as the speaker describes how the bird’s song has “opened the blue / flower of the air”. This metaphor creates a sense of beauty and wonder, as the bird’s song is compared to a flower that has opened up to reveal its beauty. The metaphor also creates a sense of renewal and growth, as the speaker is inspired by the beauty of the bird’s song to find new meaning and purpose in her life.

In terms of structure, the poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. This structure creates a sense of balance and symmetry, which adds to the overall beauty of the poem. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the bird, while the second stanza explores the speaker’s emotions and reactions to the bird’s song. The third stanza brings the poem to a close and reflects on the beauty and power of the bird’s song.

In conclusion, Brigit Pegeen Kelly’s poem “Song” is a beautiful and complex work of art that explores themes of love, loss, and the beauty of nature. The poem is rich in imagery, metaphor, and personification, which adds depth and complexity to the work. The poem’s structure is balanced and symmetrical, which adds to the overall beauty of the piece. This poem is a classic piece of literature that has inspired and moved readers for many years, and it will continue to do so for many years to come.

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