Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Ted Kooser’s poem "Turkey Vultures" is a vivid and contemplative depiction of these often misunderstood birds, transforming them into elegant figures engaged in a ritualistic dance against the backdrop of a setting sun. Through precise imagery and metaphor, Kooser captures the vultures' grace and the haunting beauty of their existence, inviting readers to see them in a new light.

The poem opens with a striking visual: "Circling above us, their wingtips fanned like fingers." This imagery immediately conveys the vultures' graceful, almost delicate movements as they soar in the sky. By comparing their wingtips to fingers, Kooser humanizes the vultures, suggesting a certain dexterity and intention in their flight.

The next lines expand on this metaphor: "it is as if they were smoothing / one of those tissue-paper sewing patterns over the pale blue fabric of the air." Here, the poet likens the vultures' circling to the careful, precise act of smoothing a sewing pattern. This metaphor imbues their flight with a sense of purpose and artistry, transforming the sky into a vast piece of fabric that the vultures are meticulously working with. The "pale blue fabric of the air" emphasizes the vastness and tranquility of the sky, contrasting with the often grim associations people have with vultures.

Kooser continues with a sense of leisurely grace: "touching the heavens with leisurely pleasure, just a word or two called back and forth." The vultures are depicted as taking their time, moving with a slow, deliberate pleasure as they communicate with each other. This leisurely pace suggests a deep connection with the environment and a lack of urgency, portraying the vultures as serene and unhurried beings.

The poem's tone shifts subtly as the setting sun becomes a focal point: "even though the sun is low and red in the west." The low, red sun signals the end of the day, adding a sense of impending darkness and the passage of time. This imagery of the setting sun casts a warm, reddish hue over the scene, enhancing the beauty and poignancy of the moment.

The final lines introduce a surprising twist: "and they have fallen behind with the making of shrouds." This metaphorical language suggests that the vultures, often seen as harbingers of death, are responsible for creating shrouds, which are traditionally used to wrap the dead. The idea that they have "fallen behind" adds a touch of irony and humor, implying that even in their seemingly carefree flight, there is an underlying acknowledgment of their role in the cycle of life and death.

In "Turkey Vultures," Ted Kooser masterfully uses imagery and metaphor to reframe the common perceptions of these birds. By depicting them as graceful, purposeful, and connected to the natural world, he challenges readers to see the beauty in creatures often associated with decay and death. The poem’s contemplative tone and rich visual language invite a deeper appreciation for the elegance and significance of the turkey vultures' place in the ecosystem.

Through his nuanced portrayal, Kooser highlights the juxtaposition of life and death, beauty and decay, and the ever-present passage of time. "Turkey Vultures" becomes a meditation on the natural world, urging readers to look beyond surface appearances and recognize the intricate and often unexpected beauty that exists in all forms of life.

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