POEM FOR ELSA
by Michael Roberts
THAT day the blue-black rook fell pitifully dead
You wept and stormed, tossing your lovely head,
Hurling commiseration into broken skies
That wept and wept, vainly as any eyes.
You pitifully wept, nor would be comforted
Till a bedraggled robin chirped unfed
Begging for comfort-crumbs, and sought your aid
To mend a world you had not made.
You who compassionately wept, be with me still,
Though the wind lash the dark, the wooded hill;
The hand that let the wild wet creature ache
Moulded the heart that grieves, but shall not break.
Please please please can anyone tell me what this poem is about?? I cannot understand what the poet is trying to say except that there was a rook, it died and the girl couldn't stop crying until a robin came begging for help. I cannot understand especially the last stanza. Any help you give me will be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks!
Birds often represent the soul or spirit of someone. Since "you" (who must be Elsa) is no longer with him, she must be dead. Just look at the words like: dead, compassionately, wept, dark, ache, grieves. When the poet uses "you" he is speaking directly to Elsa. As she mourned the bird and the world as it is, he mourns her loss.
This British poem's work is usually transcendental and philosophical.
Sra
Thank you soooo much!!!!!!!
Analyzing a poem can be subjective, as different readers may interpret it in different ways. However, I can offer you a possible interpretation of the poem "Poem for Elsa" by Michael Roberts.
In this poem, the speaker addresses a person named Elsa, who becomes deeply upset upon witnessing the death of a rook. The rook's death is described as "blue-black," emphasizing its lifelessness and sadness. Elsa's reaction to this event is intense, as she weeps and expresses her discontent with the situation. The broken skies metaphorically weep alongside her, suggesting her profound sorrow.
Then, the poet introduces the image of a bedraggled robin, symbolizing vulnerability and need. This robin represents another creature in distress, seeking Elsa's help. By juxtaposing the dead rook and the needy robin, the poet hints at Elsa's empathy and compassion, which extend beyond her initial mourning.
In the last stanza, the speaker addresses Elsa, acknowledging her sensitivity and urging her to remain steadfast in her compassion. The "wind lash the dark, the wooded hill" represents the harshness and challenges of life, with the wind symbolizing adversity. Yet, despite these difficulties, Elsa's kind-heartedness remains unbroken. The line "The hand that let the wild wet creature ache" suggests that the same force or power responsible for the rook's death is also responsible for the existence of Elsa's loving and compassionate heart.
Overall, this poem can be seen as an exploration of empathy, grief, and resilience in the face of suffering. Elsa's tears and compassion exemplify the poet's admiration for her ability to deeply feel and respond to the pain of others.
Remember that this interpretation is just one perspective, and you can have your own understanding of the poem based on your own experiences and interpretations. Poetry is often open to personal interpretation.