An Ode to Pigeons

I like pigeons. Don't judge me.

 

An Ode to Pigeons

 

A tide that does not flee the shore,

The sudden rustle of leaves in flight,

A sunset that does not set,

The burst of a tree's song,

Multitudes of raindows in claps of thunder,

Of pigeons on wing.

 

~Sean~

Reviews

[xx]

I'll tell you this before anything else: I'm not an expert at poem analysis, and I tend to either over-analyze or under-analyze, but I'll do my best to make this review a quality one.

All literal tides "flee the shore," so the first line of this poem seems to refer to a more figurative tide, rather than a literal one of water. Perhaps this tide is actually the tide of pigeons that lurk the shores of the beach? In that case, the imagery would accurately portray the habits of a flight of pigeons crowding the beach, refusing to retreat from the water's edge despite the imminent threat of intrusion by human feet, approaching predators, and even surging waves until the last possible moment.

As you said yourself that you like pigeons, no doubt you have seen and heard them when they /are/ all simultaneously forced to take flight, whether it be to retreat from outside threats or to find more food, etc., etc. I agree that the sound of a huge flight of pigeons taking to the air /does/ resemble that of leaves brushing against each each swiftly in the sky, though the flapping of wings still has its own distinct signature to our ears. That was a lovely comparison and one that I would not have thought of myself. But that's why I'm more a reader than a writer, I suppose!

I rarely take trips to the beach, but the few times I have done so, there is a sense of timelessness that never fails to settle on the sands come evening. The sky is brilliantly red or or orange or even pink, and it seems to take eons for the sun to finally and completely disappear over the waterline and from our view. The pigeons don't seem to notice the passage of time, either - they stalk about and peck at the sands or at each other or at themselves until they all seem to respond to a single call, a signal that they all heed simultaneously - and then they take wing all together. I've been woken by the "claps of thunder" they produce when taking to the sky, so I understand and appreciate this example of auditory imagery.

I know my analysis fails to do justice to this poem, but my skills in literary analysis remain sorely lacking. Nevertheless, I hope you continue to write and share more works such as this! :)

Happy writing!

-Mina

[Sean]

Mina, you have done more than justice to my poem. Your analysis was very accurate, except for your interpretation of the first line which was a little different from waht I had in mind. It was a good interpretation nonetheless. In fact, I think I like it better than my own. *Chuckles* I truly do appreciate you having spent the time to analyse my poem to such detail. I was quite flattering really, especially since few people bother to spend the time. Thank you for your kind compliments, especially since they come from a far better writer than myself.

[xx]

It was my pleasure to review this poem! :) I firmly deflect your own compliments in light of the fact that you yourself wrote and shared that lovely poem overhead.

So keep going, and happy writing! :)

-Mina

[zainul]

Lovely poem.
Check the word "raindows" please.