'Bird With Two Right Wings' by Lawrence Ferlinghetti


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And now our government
a bird with two right wings
flies on from zone to zone
while we go on having our little fun & games
at each election
as if it really mattered who the pilot is
of Air Force One
(They're interchangeable, stupid!)
While this bird with two right wings
flies right on with its corporate flight crew
And this year its the Great Movie Cowboy in the cockpit
And next year its the great Bush pilot
And now its the Chameleon Kid
and he keeps changing the logo on his captains cap
and now its a donkey and now an elephant
and now some kind of donkephant
And now we recognize two of the crew
who took out a contract on America
and one is a certain gringo wretch
who's busy monkeywrenching
crucial parts of the engine
and its life-support systems
and they got a big fat hose
to siphon off the fuel to privatized tanks
And all the while we just sit there
in the passenger seats
without parachutes
listening to all the news that's fit to air
over the one-way PA system
about how the contract on America
is really good for us etcetera
As all the while the plane lumbers on
into its postmodern
manifest destiny

Editor 1 Interpretation

Bird With Two Right Wings: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow, where do I even begin with this one? Lawrence Ferlinghetti's poem "Bird With Two Right Wings" is a masterpiece in its own right, and it's hard not to be excited when diving into its depths.

First, let's talk about the title. "Bird With Two Right Wings" is a clever play on words, immediately grabbing the reader's attention. A bird with two right wings couldn't fly, and in the same way, a society that is too far to the right politically can't function properly. The title sets the tone for the entire poem, introducing the central theme of political corruption and the need for change.

The opening lines of the poem are equally striking: "And now our government/ A bird with two right wings/ Flies on from zone to zone/ While we go on having our little fun & games." Here, Ferlinghetti is directly commenting on the state of American politics at the time of the poem's writing (the early 1960s). He sees the government as a bird that is unable to fly, yet still manages to move from place to place. The metaphor is powerful and immediately draws the reader in.

Ferlinghetti goes on to describe the corrupt nature of politics, with lines like "And now it's scandalous to flirt/ With communism/ But I think I'll go ahead and/ Register my name with the/ Communist Party/ Which is no more/ A mock than the two parties/ And my grief is no more/ A mock than the president's/ Pious tears." Here, Ferlinghetti is clearly criticizing the hypocrisy of American politics - flirting with communism is seen as scandalous, yet both parties are essentially the same.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Ferlinghetti's use of repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats the phrase "and now," emphasizing the ever-changing nature of politics. He also repeats the phrase "little fun & games," highlighting the futility of the American people's attempts to distract themselves from the corruption around them.

The poem is also full of vivid imagery, such as "the bomb/ That might explode us/ Into heaven" and "the new morality/ Of the people/ Or rather of the leaders/ Who are not of the people." These images serve to bring the reader into the world of the poem, making them feel the weight of the political climate.

One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is its structure. It is not structured in a traditional sense, with stanzas and a consistent rhyme scheme. Instead, Ferlinghetti uses a more free-form style, with lines varying in length and no clear structure. This serves to emphasize the chaotic nature of American politics at the time.

In conclusion, "Bird With Two Right Wings" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that still resonates today. Ferlinghetti's use of metaphor, repetition, and imagery create a world that is both vivid and unsettling. The poem serves as a call to action, urging readers to take a closer look at the political climate and work towards change. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of a moment in time and to inspire change for the better.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Bird With Two Right Wings: A Poem of Political Satire and Social Commentary

Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the renowned American poet, playwright, and activist, is known for his sharp wit, political satire, and social commentary. His poem "Bird With Two Right Wings" is a classic example of his style, a scathing critique of American politics and society. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with a striking image of a bird with two right wings, a metaphor for the two-party system in American politics. The bird is "unable to fly," suggesting that the system is dysfunctional and unable to achieve its goals. The two right wings represent the two major political parties, the Democrats and Republicans, who are often seen as two sides of the same coin. The bird's inability to fly suggests that the two-party system is unable to address the pressing issues facing the country, such as inequality, poverty, and climate change.

Ferlinghetti's use of satire is evident in the second stanza, where he describes the bird's "right wing" as "Republican" and its "right wing" as "Democrat." This is a clever play on words, as both wings are technically "right" but have different political affiliations. The bird's "left wing" is missing, suggesting that there is no real left-wing political party in America. This is a common criticism of the American political system, which is often seen as skewed towards the right.

The third stanza introduces the theme of war, which is a recurring motif in the poem. The bird is described as "unable to sing," suggesting that it is silenced by the violence and destruction of war. The "right wing" is depicted as a "hawk," a symbol of aggression and militarism, while the "right wing" is a "dove," a symbol of peace and diplomacy. This contrast highlights the hypocrisy of American foreign policy, which often claims to promote peace while engaging in wars and military interventions around the world.

The fourth stanza continues the theme of war, describing the bird's "right wing" as a "bomber" and its "right wing" as a "dove." This juxtaposition suggests that even the so-called "peaceful" political party is complicit in the violence and destruction of war. The line "the bombs bursting in air" is a reference to the American national anthem, which celebrates the country's military might. Ferlinghetti subverts this patriotic sentiment by associating it with the destruction and death caused by war.

The fifth stanza introduces the theme of capitalism and consumerism, which are seen as major drivers of American society. The bird is described as "unable to love," suggesting that it is incapable of experiencing genuine human emotions. The "right wing" is depicted as a "banker," a symbol of capitalism and greed, while the "right wing" is a "shopper," a symbol of consumerism and materialism. This contrast highlights the dehumanizing effects of capitalism and consumerism, which reduce people to mere economic units and objects of consumption.

The sixth stanza continues the theme of capitalism and consumerism, describing the bird's "right wing" as a "factory" and its "right wing" as a "mall." This juxtaposition suggests that even the so-called "progressive" political party is complicit in the exploitation and alienation of workers and consumers. The line "the cash registers ringing" is a reference to the sound of money being made, which is seen as the ultimate goal of capitalism and consumerism.

The seventh stanza introduces the theme of environmentalism, which is a major concern in contemporary society. The bird is described as "unable to create," suggesting that it is unable to produce anything of value or significance. The "right wing" is depicted as a "developer," a symbol of environmental destruction and urbanization, while the "right wing" is a "tree-hugger," a symbol of environmentalism and conservation. This contrast highlights the urgent need to address the environmental crisis facing the planet, which is often ignored or denied by politicians and corporations.

The eighth stanza continues the theme of environmentalism, describing the bird's "right wing" as a "bulldozer" and its "right wing" as a "birdwatcher." This juxtaposition suggests that even the so-called "environmentalist" political party is complicit in the destruction of nature and wildlife. The line "the bulldozer at work" is a reference to the destruction of natural habitats and ecosystems, which is often justified in the name of "progress" and "development."

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the image of the bird with two right wings. The bird is described as "unable to fly," suggesting that the two-party system is unable to address the pressing issues facing the country. The line "this bird needs a left wing" is a call to action, a plea for a genuine left-wing political party that can challenge the status quo and offer a real alternative to the two-party system.

In conclusion, "Bird With Two Right Wings" is a powerful poem of political satire and social commentary. Ferlinghetti uses vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and sharp wit to critique American politics and society. The poem highlights the dysfunction of the two-party system, the hypocrisy of American foreign policy, the dehumanizing effects of capitalism and consumerism, and the urgent need to address the environmental crisis. It is a call to action, a plea for a genuine left-wing political party that can offer a real alternative to the status quo. As such, it remains a relevant and timely work of poetry that speaks to the challenges and struggles of our time.

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