Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Lizard” is a short and whimsical poem by Theodore Roethke that is full of playful imagery and wordplay. In the poem, Roethke suggests that there is a particular moment when it is appropriate to tickle a lizard, and that this moment is fleeting and must be seized upon quickly. He describes the lizard as a creature of "quick feint and sidle," always ready to dart away at the slightest disturbance.

The poem seems to suggest that there is a kind of magic in the world that can only be experienced by those who are attentive to the small and often-overlooked details of life. Roethke's playful tone and use of imagery create a sense of wonder and delight, inviting the reader to enter into a world of innocence and imagination. At the same time, the poem suggests that there is a deeper wisdom to be gained by paying attention to the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it, a wisdom that is often lost in the rush and busyness of modern life.

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