Hi James,
I like the fun of this poem - the collective "we" of the speaker/narrator
(who isn't known to us humans, isn't particularised!). I also like the
undercurrents you've included:
Even though I don't know about "nefarious" - it's a sort of intrusion by the
narrator: but is that the poet speaking (ie you) or the "we" who speaks in
the poem? Is it that one breed of birds doesn't like another? (I think
that's how I initially understand it...). And I sense I the nefarious word
also links with "roll call" - and hints at our present predicament in
relation to the UN and Iraq... (there's lots going on in here...)
The notion of being "named" (with associations of naming including having
power over, and control over, is also interesting... (I once wrote about a
cormorant saying much the same - "Cormorant means nothing to a cormorant" so
I'm enjoying the parallel insight!
And, with its more sinister undertones, I like (the irony in) the title: A
Carnival Of Birds!
Bob







>From: James Bell <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: New sub: A Carnival Of Birds
>Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 08:55:35 +0000
>
>Yes, I'm aware of the allusion to Saint-Saens and it's pretty well
>intentional. C&c welcome as always.
>
>A CARNIVAL OF ANIMALS
>
>We are all here today,
>a carnival of birds, though
>more properly, waders and
>other nefarious water lovers
>disposed towards marsh, riversides,
>the moon cycle reflected in daily tides
>and estuary sand bars.
>
>We are feathers of many colours
>and here we are for the roll call:
>cormorant, curlew, kittiwake, lapwing,
>oyster catcher, snipe and tern;
>the commoner gulls ducks and geese
>meet further off gathered in their
>own distinct flocks.
>
>We are all named here today
>with names given to us by humanity,
>names none have ever claimed,
>though we stand free,
>just outside the vision of their naked eyes
>on space they have not quite claimed
>for themselves.
>
>
>
>bw
>James
>
>
>
>
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