Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Barn Owl" is a poem by Gwen Harwood, published in her collection "Father and Child" in 1975.

Explanation:

The poem describes a child's experience of witnessing a barn owl killing its prey. The speaker reflects on the brutality and beauty of the natural world, and the contrast between the innocence of childhood and the harsh realities of life and death.

Poetic elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme.
• Imagery: The poem is rich in sensory imagery, with vivid descriptions of the owl's hunting and killing, as well as the child's reaction to the scene.
• Symbolism: The barn owl is a symbol of the natural world, with its beauty and violence, and represents the harsh realities of life and death.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is one of wonder and awe, mixed with a sense of sadness and loss.

Poem Snippet:

"But I watched, afraid

for my small self, something

childish and unformed,

alert to her greed and beauty."

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