To an Athlete Dying Young

To an Athlete Dying Young

By A. E. Housman,

The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.

To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.

Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:

Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.

So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.

And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find un withered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.

Initial Impression

The poem seems to be about an athlete that was victories in his effort to win a race. He enjoyed the glory, but, since glory doesn’t last for long, the pleasure was soon lost. The silence, however, is just as great as the cheers, which makes one think that silence in victory is no different than cheers from victory. In the beginning of the poem, there is a cheerful tone, but by the end, the poem becomes slightly gloomy. When the narrator says, “the garland briefer than a girl’s,” it becomes apparent that the victor only last as long as the flowers on the garland stay alive. Additionally, I find it interesting that the title reveals the dark nature of the text. Even though the poem commends the athlete for his valiant effort in running, it ends with a gloomy note, implying that the athlete has died young and vigorously.

Paraphrase

The day you were victories in the race

We, the people of your town, carried you in a chair to the bazaar;

Everyone stood admiring you,

And home we brought you alive, shoulder-high

To-day, the road still has runners,

Alive and shoulder-high, we bring you back home,

And lay you down at your front door,

The townsmen are stiller.

It’s smart that you used you miss your bedtime

To go to field where your glory doesn’t surround you

And early though the laurel bushes grow

It diminishes just as fast as a rose

In the dark

Cannot see the records being broken

And silence sounds just as bad as cheers

After the earth has deafened you:

Now you will not bloat the chaos

Of people that honored you,

Runners who last their fame

Before they died.

So set, before the glory fades,

The foot on the edge of the shade,

And hold the low lintel high

The trophy that shows you are the reigning champion

And round that bushy head

Will flock to see the weak dead,

And find unused curls

The garland briefer than a girl’s life

SWIFTT-

SW- Houseman uses an interesting choice of words to express a shift in tone. In the beginning of the poem, Houseman says cheering and continually says shoulder-high. Then, by the end of the poem, Houseman sounds gloomier, using words such as death and fade. Additionally, the poem is composed of rhyming couplets in each stanza. The structure, along with the content of the poem, closely resembles that of an elegy.
I-The first example of imagery appear in the beginning of the poem, when the narrator says,” Chaired you through the market place.“ The imagery this excerpt from the poem creates is of a happy, exciting scene that expresses youth and exuberance. As the story continues, the narrator evokes darker images. He says, for instance, “Will flock to gaze the strength-less dead.” The gazing of dead people creates a depressing scene of lost lives.

F- The poem doesn’t appear to extensively use figurative language. The entire poem, however, is metaphorical in a sense that is represents the sadness of death.

T-There is a shift in tone in the poem. The poem starts out cheerfully; but as it progresses, the poem takes a melancholy tone. By the last stanza, it becomes clear that the narrator tone is mournful.

T- The theme of the poem is about the death of the youth. The poet is trying to express his concern about the effects of war on the youth.

Conclusion

When I initially read the poem, I didn’t realize the true meaning of it. Although I understood that the poem was about the death of a young, vigorous athlete, I, initially, didn’t know that the deeper implications of Housman’s poem. After having analyzed the poem, I know understand that Housman’s poem, which was written during a time of war, was a response to young, healthy people dying unnecessarily. The poem begins cheerfully, expressing the excitement the young athlete brings; however, as the poem progresses, there is an obvious shift in tone and meaning. The poem takes on a gloomy, realistic tone, while the narrator is attempting to express the sadness of an athlete’s death. The last lines of the poem leave a striking impact on the readers: “the garland briefer than a girl’s.” These lines establish the fact that the memory of the athlete and his fame wither away just as quickly the athlete does.

The Solitary Reaper

The Solitary Reaper

BEHOLD her, single in the field,
Yon solitary Highland Lass!
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass!
Alone she cuts and bind the grain,	5
And sings a melancholy strain;
O listen! for the Vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.
No Nightingale did ever chaunt
More welcome notes to weary bands	10
Of travellers in some shady haunt,
Among Arabian sands:
A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard
In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas	15
Among the farthest Hebrides.
Will no one tell me what she sings?—
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:	20
Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of to-day?
Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has been, and may be again?
Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang	25
As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work,
And o'er the sickle bending;—
I listen'd, motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill,	30
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more.

Initial Impression:

The poem is about a man noticing the beautiful voice and intriguing message of a women he encounters while going up a hill. The woman, who is in a valley, sings about misery from some tragedy, possibly war or something of that nature. The narrator wonders if the lyrics of the lady’s song pertain to some battles of long ago or modern day battles. Regardless of what she is singing about, there seems to be a deep sorrow in her voice that the narrator retains, even after he has travelled far uphill and cannot hear her anymore.

Paraphrase:

Alone in the field, behold her,

On a solitary piece of ground!

Singing with reaping lyric in solitude;

Either you will stop and listen or you slowly pass!

Alone the lady collects and stitches the grain,

And sing a sad long song;

O listen! for the Valley

Is being filled with her music.

No Nightingale could ever sing as great

These notes are welcoming to tired

Travelers on a unknown, disturbing task,

Near the Arabian sands:

The thrill the voice gives

In the Spring away from other loud birds,

Breaking the monotony off the waters beyond

Among the most distant islands.

Someone please tell me about her music ?—

Maybe there exists a regular flow

For old, detestable things, or even

Battles from long ago:

Or is it about more regular thing,

Familiar matter of nowadays?

Some natural sadness or pain

That may be again or has already been?

Regardless of the theme, the Maiden sang

Like the song could never end;

I saw her singing while at work,

And oh the sickle bending;--

I heard, without moving;

And, while I went up the hill,

The sound stayed in my heart,

Even after I couldn’t hear it.

SWIFTT-

SW- The poem consists of four stanzas, each of which is eight lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABA, which closely resembles the scheme of a ballad. The words behold and profound in the beginning stanza heighten the claims the poet makes. As the poem continues, the poet shows admiration for the singer he listens to. This is made evident when he describes her voice as thrilling and with no ending.

I-There is a significant amount of both auditory and visual imagery in the poem. When the poet describes the singer’s voice as having a distinct thrill and sounding better than a Nightingale’s, the poet evokes a beautiful voice. The description of the place the lady sings about creates images of a deserted open area, for the poet says she is among Arabian sand.

F- The author doesn’t use too much figurative language. However, there is a simile in the final stanza: “as if her song could have no ending.” The simile is effective because it shows the everlasting quality of the singer’s voice.

T- The tone throughout the poem is appreciative. The author is in awe of the genuine voice and meaningful lyrics of the singer. This is clear when the narrator become motionless and bore the music, even after leaving the singer.

T-The poem explores the theme of an everlasting effect of music. The poet’s deep admiration to the singer’s voice makes it clear that music should be appreciated.

Conclusion:

My conclusions to the poem haven’t really changed from my initial reaction. I continue to believe that the poem is about the everlasting beauty of one’s voice. However, after analyzing the poem, I now have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the various aspects that make of the poem, namely tone, figurative language, and diction. The tone that the poet creates comes from a diction that shows admiration. I found it interesting that poet used a simple diction, as the poem contained mostly simple words that appeal to a broad audience. Additionally, the figurative language effectively contributes to the admiration the poet has for the beautiful voice of the singer.

Ode to a Grecian Urn

Ode to a Grecian Urn

Thou still unravished bride of quietness,
Thou foster child of silence and slow time,
Sylvan historian, who canst thus express
A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:
What leaf-fringed legend haunts about thy shape
Of deities or mortals, or of both,
In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?
What men or gods are these? What maidens loath?
What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?
What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?

Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on;
Not to the sensual ear, but, more endeared,
Pipe to the spirit dities of no tone.
Fair youth, beneath the trees, thou canst not leave
Thy song, nor ever can those trees be bare;
Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,
Though winning near the goal---yet, do not grieve;
She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss
Forever wilt thou love, and she be fair!

Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed
Your leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu;
And, happy melodist, unweari-ed,
Forever piping songs forever new;
More happy love! more happy, happy love!
Forever warm and still to be enjoyed,
Forever panting, and forever young;
All breathing human passion far above,
That leaves a heart high-sorrowful and cloyed,
A burning forehead, and a parch tongue.

Who are these coming to the sacrifice?
To what green altar, O mysterious priest,
Lead'st thou that heifer lowing at the skies,
And all her silken flanks with garland dressed?
What little town by river or sea shore,
Or mountain-built with peaceful citadel,
Is emptied of this folk, this pious morn?
And, little town, thy streets for evermore
Will silent be; and not a soul to tell
Why thou art desolate, can e'er return.

O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede
Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity. Cold Pastoral!
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty"---that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.

Initial Impression-

The poem is very melodic throughout. The poet, John Keats, seems to continually praise a Grecian Urn, while describing it enthusiastically, saying “O Attic Shape! Fair attitude. ” The art, which is the Grecian Urn, is depicted vividly by Keats. Keats’ describes various types of images he sees on the Urn as well as the emotions the Urn cause him to outpour. The melodies that the mute Urn are much better than music, which is composed of melodies one can only hear. However, Keats acknowledges that these melodies from the Urn are “sweet, not to the sensual year.” Rather, he says, the melodies of the Urn are “more endearing,” suggesting that the unspoken melodies are in hearts of the viewers and leave and indelible impression on the viewers. Further, the poem is simply describing Keats’ response to the Urn, an object Keats sees as fine art. The Urn represents the beauty of artwork, and the ode represents the appreciation, in words, we should have for beauty.

Paraphrase-

The unperturbed bride of being silent,

It is the adapted child of silence and causes time to slow down,

The inexpressible sprit of the woods,

A tale that language can’t even express,

What legends haunt the Urn with

Gods or humans, or both,

In the attempt of Greece men?

What types of deities or humans are these? What causes this anger?

What absurd pursuits? What hardships to escape?

What pips and timbrels? What wild happiness?

Sounds are sweet, but the sounds that aren’t

Are even sweeter; therefore, the soft instruments, play on;

Not to the sense of the ear, but something more,

Pipe to the spirits they arouse of no sound.

Beautiful youth, under the trees, it cannot leave

The song, nor can the trees be drawn bare;

Bold Lover, never, never can you kiss another,

Through close to the goal—yet, you do not cry;

Your goal, the girl, cannot fade, though you still do not have the bliss

Forever, wilt he love her, and she remain fair!

Ah, happy, content tree limbs! That cannot shed

Your leaves, nor ever say farewell to the Spring;

And, happy melody, un-bothered,

Forever playing songs new;

More, more happy, happy, love, love!

Forever warm, and still to be enjoyed;

All human’s passionately above,

That leaves a heart or soul with sadness and mawkish praises,

A blazing forehead, and desiccated tongue.

Who are these coming to the pedestal to be sacrificed?

To grass colored altar, O mystical priest,

Lead it that young cow coming in the skies,

And all her silken flanks with nice dressed?

What a small town near the shore,

Or mountain with a great citadel,

Is eradicated of this kin, this pious prayer?

And, little town, with big streets will be silent;

A won’t tell anyone why this is desolate.

O Attic shape! Fair attitude!
Of marble made, tense men,
With trees and branches;
Thou, quietly, continue to tease us out of own thoughts
As likely with eternity. Cold Farmers!
When old age is the only waste in life,
In midst of other woe, it will remain
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty"

SWIFTT

SW- The ode is composed of five stanzas with about ten lines each. The choice of words gives a deep sense of beauty and truth, both of which are used synonymously used in the poem. Some of the words such as eternity and evermore, when describing the Urn, are effective in evoking thoughts about the longevity of beauty.

I-The imagery that Keats creates gives the Urn an almost realistic quality. The Urn, as the Keats describes it, contains images that have an eternal feel. For example, Keats says, “ And, little town, thy streets evermore will silent be; and not a soul tell why thou art desolate, can e’er return.” This example, like the rest of the poem, evokes sensual imagery.

F- There are many strong adjectives used in Keats’ poem. He says thing like “happy, happy love” and “a flowery tale more sweetly” in order to express a deep sense of admiration to the art on the Urn. Additionally, the poem contains allusions to ancient Greece such as Tempe and Arcady.

T- The tone throughout the poem is that of longing and appreciation. Keats uses phrases such as “Beauty is truth, truth beauty” to explicate the true beauty of the Urn. Keats, through his tone, shows admiration for the Urn.

T-The theme that Keats express is that beauty is an eternal quality, and it contains the highest sense of the truth to it. Additionally, the Urn, which the poem is dedicated to, is simply an object that represents anything that has true beauty.

Conclusion-

My initial impression of the poem differs from my conclusion. I now believe that the poem is about beauty in general, and the poet simply uses the Urn as an example of an object with an eternally beautiful quality. Unlike other poets during his time, Yeats describes beauty in terms of a physical object, as opposed to abstract qualities such as the soul and heart. Additionally, the admiration in Yeat’s tone clearly expresses the eternal qualities of the Urn. Yeats describes the Urn by talking about the frozen image that seems express a story of unattainable love and desire.

The Wild Swans At Coole

The Wild Swans At Coole

THE trees are in their autumn beauty,

The woodland paths are dry,

Under the October twilight the water

Mirrors a still sky;

Upon the brimming water among the stones

Are nine-and-fifty Swans.

The nineteenth autumn has come upon me

Since I first made my count;

I saw, before I had well finished,

All suddenly mount

And scatter wheeling in great broken rings

Upon their clamorous wings.

I have looked upon those brilliant creatures,

And now my heart is sore.

All's changed since I, hearing at twilight,

The first time on this shore,

The bell-beat of their wings above my head,

Trod with a lighter tread.

Unwearied still, lover by lover,

They paddle in the cold

Companionable streams or climb the air;

Their hearts have not grown old;

Passion or conquest, wander where they will,

Attend upon them still.

But now they drift on the still water,

Mysterious, beautiful;

Among what rushes will they build,

By what lake's edge or pool

Delight men's eyes when I awake some day

To find they have flown away?

Initial Impression:

This poem, by William Yeats, is about the swans on the Coole River. Yeats seems to be describing the way he feels when he sees the beautiful swans around the river. The swans appear to be leaving the river because of the change in season. As Yeats watches the swans, he appreciates their enjoyable qualities, but he is also pained to see them go away. In the end of the poem, Yeats poises a question about the wandering nature of the swans. He asks, “To find that the have flown away?” This question is referring to the fact that people question why the swans, with the beauty the posses, have suddenly decides to leave.

Paraphrase:

It is autumn and the trees have a distinct beauty

The path in the woods is dry

The water reflects the twilight in the sky on this October day;

Near the top of the river/pond which is on stone

There are nine and fifty swans

This is the nineteenth autumn for me

Since the first time I’ve been counting;

Before me completion, I saw

All suddenly stacked up

And scattered in feathers

Upon those swans’ wings

I have looked at those beautiful swans,

And now I feel a soreness inside me

Everything changed since I, hearing at twilight,

The first swan arrives on this shore

The wings make noise above my head

Fly and eat the smaller treads

Not tired still, lover by lover,

The Swans paddle in the cold water

Near by streams or fly in the air

The heart of swans do not seem to age;

Their passion and control, wherever they go,

Stay with them

But for now, the relax on the motionless water,

Mystical and beautiful;

Among what crowd will they build?,

By which lakes will they reside

Delight the bring in men’s eye when I awaken some day

To notice that they have disappeared?

SWIFTT:

SW- The poem consists of five stanzas, each consisting of six lines and rhyme scheme that makes line two and four rhyme, and the last two lines rhyme. Although the writer uses many common, simple words, his implementation of these words is very effective in providing a distinct voice.

I-Through the description of the swans, the author creates powerful images in the readers’ minds. For example when the author says, “the bell bell-beat of their wins above my head, trod with a lighter tread,” the readers’ imagine the elegant swans flying effortlessly with food in their beaks.

F- The entire poem seems to be figuratively speaking about freedom and longevity through the motion of the swans. The swans represent the ability to continue and live beautifully. Further, the author also makes use of strong adjectives that help express the beauty of the swans. For instance, the narrator calls the swans “ mysterious, beautiful,” and “brilliant.” By continually using strong adjectives to describe the swans, the author makes it clear that he esteems the tenderness and beauty of the swans.

T- The author gently creates a tone of longing by using words that express beauty and desire. For instance, the author uses words such as “passion” and “brilliant” to create a relaxing, gentle feel; while, at the same time, the author questions why the swans have left and says that he feels “sore,” making it seem as if the author desires to be with the swans.

T- Throughout the poem, the author expresses his desire to be with the swans because of the relaxation they provide. By watching the swans, the author feels joyful because he see beauty and freedom. The theme of the poem, therefore, is that of a desire for freedom from the aging of life.

Conclusion

My initial response differs from conclusion. I initially thought that the poem was simply talking about the beauty of the swans and the sadness that swans bring when they leave. Now, however, I believe that the poem is about far more. In fact, the poem is talking about the author’s desire to escape his old age and live through beautiful swans. The autumn season reminds the author of his age. However, the elegance of the swans, with their youthful hearts, reminds the narrator of freedoms youth brings. Sadly, however, at the end of the poem, the swans are gone. The question that the narrator asks, “To find they have flown away?” expresses the narrator’s contempt with not being able to live life like the swans. While the swans will continue to maintain their beauty and bring delight to others, the author will age, causing him to lose the vigor he desires to maintain.

The Oven Bird

“The Oven Bird” by Robert Frost
THERE is a singer everyone has heard,
Loud, a mid-summer and a mid-wood bird,
Who makes the solid tree trunks sound again.
He says that leaves are old and that for flowers
Mid-summer is to spring as one to ten.
He says the early petal-fall is past
When pear and cherry bloom went down in showers
On sunny days a moment overcast;
And comes that other fall we name the fall.
He says the highway dust is over all.
The bird would cease and be as other birds
But that he knows in singing not to sing.
The question that he frames in all but words
Is what to make of a diminished thing

Initial Impression-
The poem is about a bird that goes through life. In the beginning of the poem, the bird sings with a fierce voice. Then, by the end of the poem, as the seasons change and as the fruits fall, things change. The change in the mood of the poem occurs around line 10, resembling of a volta from a sonnet. The poem is probably about how the seasons have an effect on both nature and all that consists of it. Additionally, it seems that the title of the poem, “The Oven Bird,” is significant to the entire meaning of the poem. Just as an ovenbird will sing until the end of the spring, the narrator is happy until the end of the spring.
Paraphrase-
Everyone has heard this singer
It is a loud mid-summer and mid-wood bird
Whose sound gives life to the solid tree trunks
The bird thinks the trees are aging and that the flowers
Sprout heavily during the middle of the summer.
The bird also says that the petals fall during fall
The flowers of cherry and pear fall in mass amounts
Slight overcast happens on sunny days
Then, the greatest fall of all—the season fall—arrives.
The bird says dryness of summer is all over
The bird would change and be like other birds
But he knows that he is not supposed to always sing when he sings.
The question is not asked in words
The question is about the diminishment of things.

SWIFTT-
SW- The poem consists of fourteen lines, with a few rhyming couplets. It resembles a sonnet with alight changes in traditional structure such as a continuing rhyme scheme with couplets. Frost uses an interesting choice of words , namely “mid-summer” and “mid-wood”. Both give these words contribute to the visual imagery that Frost attempts to create.
I- The poem contains many example of visual imagery. Throughout the poem, Frosts creates various scenes that evoke visual details. For example, Frost says, “When pear and cherry bloom went down in showers/ On sunny days a moment overcast.” The details Frost gives about the day give the readers a visual sense of the season changing while the flowers fall off the tree is large amounts.
F- Throughout the poem, the ovenbird is given a voice, but really, the voice is the Frost’s voice. Therefore, the bird represents Frost. Additionally, the Frost uses an analogy when he says, “mid-summer is to spring as one to ten.” He is expressing the huge difference between mid-summer and spring by using the distinct numbers one and ten to represent mid-summer and spring, respectively.
T- The tone in the beginning of the poem is neutral, as Frost is simply explaining the statements made by the bird. However, as the poem goes on, the tone becomes rather distressing. When Frost starts discussing the dusty highways and the trees losing their flowers, the poems tone naturally becomes gloomy.
T- The theme of the poem is that as the seasons change, everything else also changes. The poem is praises the beauty of spring and summer, while making autumn and winter seem detestable. On a broader scale, the theme of the poem seems to be about enjoying the present, for things will continually change.

Conclusion-
After analyzing the poem, I have realized that my initial response differs slightly from my conclusion. I thought that the narrator was simply trying to express his contempt with autumn. However, now I realize that the narrator, through the voice of the bird, is expressing his concern about the diminishment of his life. The narrator doesn’t like autumn or winter because everything is dead and depressing during those seasons. Rather, the narrator prefers the spring , as it reminds him of his youth and brings him happiness

Telephone Poles

“Telephone Poles” by John Updike.

They have been with us a long time.They will outlast the elms.Our eyes, like the eyes of a savage sieving the treesIn his search for game,Run through them. They blend along small-town streetsLike a race of giants that have faded into mere mythology.Our eyes, washed clean of belief,Lift incredulous to their fearsome crowns of bolts, trusses, struts, nuts, insulators, and suchBarnacles as composeThese weathered encrustations of electrical debris¬Each a Gorgon’s head, which, seized right,Could stun us to stone.

Yet they are ours. We made them.See here, where the cleats of linemenHave roughened a second barkOnto the bald trunk. And these spikesHave been driven sideways at intervals handy for human legs.The Nature of our construction is in every wayA better fit than the Nature it displacesWhat other tree can you climb where the birds’ twitter,Unscrambled, is English? True, their thin shade is negligible,But then again there is not that tragic autumnalCasting-off of leaves to outface annually.These giants are more constant than evergreensBy being never green.
Initial Impression-
The poem is talking about the ubiquitous use of telephone poles in modern day society. When looking at the poem as a whole, the author, John Updike, lauds the use of telephone poles. For most parts of the poem, Updike seems to complement the useful aspects of the telephone poles. However, Updike also states some undesirable features alongside the desirable features of telephone poles. Updike, for example, makes allusion to the Gorgons’s head when he is talking about the wires of the telephone poles. This allusion has an unfavorable connotation that makes the readers think about the harmful aspects of telephone pole. Additionally, the central message of the poem is that humans are taking over nature and making an artificial environment. Updike makes it clear that although the human designed environment has some bad qualities, it also has many favorable qualities that society should embrace.

Paraphrase-
They have been beside us for a while now.
They will stay longer than elm trees.
Our eyes savagely look through them, searching for food.
They exists alongside our streets like big creatures of mythology
Our eyes, in disbelief, open and see big bolts, trusses, struts, nuts, insulators and other such things; the wires on the poles are electrical debris that represent the snakes on Gorgon’s head, which aggressively move and could kill us.
Yet, all these creations are ours; we made them.
The marks left by lineman show were the poles are and will go.
Human replacement of Nature is good for humanity; the Nature that is created by human construction allows for us to listen to English rather than birds tweeting. How amazing is that?
The shade from the poles isn’t that great, but then again, it’s better than autumn leaves annually falling onto the ground
These telephone poles more common than evergreens, but they are never green.

SWIFTT-
SW- The poem has an interesting syntax. There are two stanzas of roughly the same length. In each stanza, there are complex and simple sentences. Additionally, in the second stanza, the writer includes an interrogative sentence. Throughout the poem, the author never directly says the words telephone poles. However, through the author’s word choice, it is evident that the author is describing telephone poles. For instance, the author says, “electrical debris…bald trunk… these giants.” All of these words make the readers think about telephone poles.
I- Throughout the poem, Updike creates vivid images of telephone pole. When Updike says, Our eyes, washed clean of belief, “their fearsome crowns of bolts, trusses, struts, nuts, insulators, and such barnacles as compose these weathered encrustations of electrical debris¬each a Gorgon’s head,” the writer sees a city filled with large telephone pole that are connected with active electrical wires.
F- Updike uses an allusion in the poem. He calls the wires Greek mythological Gorgon heads. In addition, the allusion is also a metaphor because it implicitly compares Gorgon heads to wires. The poem also consist of a simile that compares the eyes of humans today and the eyes of a savage: “like the eyes of a savage sieving the trees in his search for game.”
T- The tone in the poem is that of intrigue and appreciation. Updike seems to be fascinated with human ingenuity in shaping the environment.
T- Although the narrator only uses telephone poles to convey his theme, the scope of the poem reaches far beyond telephone poles in modern day society. In fact, the central theme of the poem is that humans should be embracing human ingenuity, instead of being discouraged by human induced changes to the natural environment.

Conclusion-
The poem is embracing the changes that human’s have brought to Nature. Throughout the poem, Updike vividly describes the ingenuity of the man-made environment. When I first read the poem, I thought that Updike was simply appreciating telephone poles. However, after having analyzed the poem, I clearly see that Updike had much more on his mind than telephone poles when he was writing the poem. In fact, Updike portably was thinking about industrialization when he wrote the poem. Additionally, I find it interesting that in the poem, Updike praising human ingenuity as well as encouraging its progress.