Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Linda Gregg’s poem "Let Birds," the poet weaves together imagery of nature, personal longing, and a deep connection to the Tao to explore themes of desire, acceptance, and the interplay between human experience and the natural world. Through evocative and sensory-rich language, Gregg creates a meditation on longing and fulfillment, interspersed with moments of profound beauty and introspection.

The poem begins with a serene image: "Eight deer on the slope / in the summer morning mist. / The night sky blue." This opening sets a tone of tranquility and natural splendor, grounding the reader in a scene that feels both timeless and ethereal. The mention of "summer morning mist" and "night sky blue" juxtaposes the dawn and the remnants of night, suggesting a liminal space where transformation and reflection occur.

Gregg introduces herself into this natural tableau with the line, "Me like a mare let out to pasture." This simile aligns the speaker with the mare, symbolizing freedom, vitality, and a return to a more instinctual state. The mare, a symbol of fertility and strength, reflects the speaker's own sense of longing and her connection to the natural world.

The poem takes a contemplative turn with the admission, "The Tao does not console me. / I was given the Way / in the milk of childhood. / Breathing it waking and sleeping." Here, Gregg references the Tao, or "the Way," a central concept in Taoism that signifies the underlying natural order of the universe. Despite being nurtured by this philosophy from a young age, the speaker finds it insufficient for her current emotional needs. This acknowledgment of the Tao’s limitations highlights the complexity of human longing and the ways in which spiritual teachings can sometimes fall short in addressing deep-seated desires.

Gregg delves into a more intimate and corporeal realm with the lines, "But now there is no amazing smell / of sperm on my thighs, / no spreading it on my stomach / to show pleasure." This raw and explicit imagery contrasts sharply with the earlier natural scenes, bringing a visceral dimension to the poem. The speaker mourns the absence of physical intimacy and the tangible expressions of pleasure, underscoring a sense of loss and yearning.

Despite this sense of absence, the speaker resolves, "I will never give up longing. / I will let my hair stay long." This declaration of enduring desire and self-acceptance is powerful, suggesting a refusal to succumb to disillusionment. The choice to keep her hair long symbolizes a connection to her authentic self and a commitment to maintain her passions and desires.

Gregg then returns to the natural imagery with a series of invocations: "The rain proclaims these trees, / the trees tell of the sun. / Let birds, let birds." These lines celebrate the interconnectedness of nature and the cyclical patterns of life. The repetition of "let" emphasizes an attitude of acceptance and openness, allowing nature to take its course and embracing its rhythms.

The poem continues with more bodily and elemental imagery: "Let leaf be passion. / Let jaw, let teeth, let tongue be / between us. Let joy. / Let entering. Let rage and calm join." Here, Gregg blurs the boundaries between the natural world and human emotion, suggesting that passion, joy, and even rage are as integral to life as the leaves and elements. The joining of rage and calm signifies a holistic acceptance of all facets of existence.

The final stanzas reinforce this integration of self and nature: "Let quail come. / Let winter impress you. Let spring. / Allow the ocean to wake in you." Gregg invites the reader to be receptive to the changing seasons and the vast, transformative power of the ocean within. The concluding lines, "Let the mare in the field / in the summer morning mist / make you whinny. Make you come / to the fence and whinny. Let birds," circle back to the initial image of the mare, bringing the poem full circle. This invocation to respond to the mare’s call represents a call to embrace life fully, with all its passions and experiences.

"Let Birds" is a poignant exploration of longing, the enduring connection to nature, and the acceptance of life's inherent dualities. Gregg’s masterful use of imagery and repetition creates a rich tapestry that invites the reader to find solace and inspiration in the natural world and in their own enduring desires.

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