Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Upon Learning That a Bird Exists Called the Turnstone" by John Updike is a playful and cleverly constructed poem that revels in puns and wordplay centered around the theme of turning. This light-hearted piece explores the adventures of a turnstone, a real bird known for its behavior of flipping over stones to find food, as it embarks on a whimsical journey. Updike uses the motif of turning to weave a tapestry of images and actions that reflect the bird’s name and nature.

The poem starts with the turnstone being personified as a curious explorer: "A turnstone turned rover / And went through ten turnstiles." The use of "turned" and "turnstiles" immediately introduces the playful tone of the poem, setting up a series of puns that cleverly incorporate the idea of turning. The bird’s journey is depicted as one filled with admiration for its surroundings, including "clover / And turnsole and fern styles." Here, Updike plays with the sounds and meanings of words to enrich the narrative with layers of connection to the central theme of rotation and change.

The narrative continues with the turnstone searching for a mate in a "Turneresque landscape," a reference that evokes the romantic and dynamic seascapes of painter J.M.W. Turner, suggesting a setting that is both dramatically beautiful and continuously shifting. The pun "She’d heard one good turnstone / Deserves another" humorously adapts the familiar proverb to fit the bird’s quest for companionship, emphasizing the poem’s lighthearted approach to the turnstone’s life and journey.

Driven by desire, the turnstone travels further, taking to the "turnpike" and moving on to Dover, where "turnips enjoy / A rapid turnover." This line not only sticks to the turning motif but also subtly comments on the nature of agricultural markets or perhaps the fleeting interactions at the places she visits. Despite her extensive travels and the vibrant locales she explores, the turnstone’s search for a partner proves fruitless, leaving her feeling isolated and unfulfilled.

The closing lines of the poem, "In vain did she hover / And earnestly burn / With yearning; above her / The terns cried, 'Return!'" bring a poignant twist to the turnstone’s adventure. The terns, another type of bird, call for her to return, perhaps to her origins or to a simpler way of life away from her fruitless search. This call to return introduces a somber note to the poem, contrasting with the playful and whimsical tone of the earlier lines.

"Upon Learning That a Bird Exists Called the Turnstone" by John Updike is an imaginative exploration of identity and desire, wrapped in a fabric of linguistic fun. Updike’s use of puns and wordplay not only entertains but also adds depth to the portrayal of the turnstone’s character and her journey, making the poem a delightful read that resonates with anyone who appreciates the beauty of language and the poignant humor in nature’s narratives.

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