Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Cleopatra Mathis's "Owl" paints a vivid tableau of nature's hierarchy and conflict, using the barn owl as a symbol of solitude, dignity, and quiet resilience. The poem examines the tension between the owl and the crows, presenting a larger commentary on survival, isolation, and the disruption of tranquility in a chaotic world.

The opening situates the reader in a "pristine town on the edge of winter," a setting that juxtaposes the natural world's wild energy with human notions of order and calm. The town’s neatness stands in stark contrast to the tumultuous behavior of the crows, whose "yacking flock louder than traffic" disrupts the morning air. The crows, described as a "coven" and "black rags," are chaotic, noisy, and territorial, embodying an unrelenting force of intrusion. Mathis’s choice of words conveys both their power and their menace, casting them as both literal birds and metaphors for societal or environmental disruption.

The owl, in contrast, is still and commanding, described as "the still source" amidst the clamor of the crows. This contrast highlights her isolation and calm strength. She occupies a realm of quiet focus, appearing almost otherworldly in her detachment from the crows' "furious snipping." Mathis emphasizes the owl's profound connection to the earth and its rhythms, as she is described as "something more of earth than air." This phrase captures her groundedness and her innate ability to endure the chaos that surrounds her.

The owl’s response to the crows’ aggression is a pivotal moment in the poem. When she finally takes flight, the transformation of her body "by sky" represents both an act of defiance and vulnerability. Her motion seems to transcend the physical struggle, embodying a higher purpose or awareness. However, the crows' dominance interrupts this moment of grace, as their "battering closes her path," causing her to "miss a beat." This disruption underscores the crows' brute force and the way collective aggression can overpower individual elegance and stillness. The owl's stumble, described as "silence disrupted," suggests a rupture in her serene existence, reflecting how external chaos can intrude upon inner peace.

Mathis’s personification of the owl as "sadness" deepens the emotional resonance of the poem. The owl becomes a symbol of the solitary observer, "the one who watches from the other side." Her placid demeanor and quiet resolve evoke a sense of melancholy, as she seems to bear the weight of existence without resistance. In this light, the crows’ incessant cries of "mine, mine, mine" represent not just territoriality but the greed and selfishness that often dominate human interactions. The owl's presence challenges this clamor, embodying a quieter, more contemplative approach to life.

The poem’s structure and imagery enhance its thematic depth. The progression from the cacophony of the crows to the stillness of the owl mirrors the tension between noise and silence, chaos and calm. The imagery of "black rags" and "flapping" evokes a sense of disorder and decay, while the owl’s "placid weight" and "focus" provide a counterbalance of strength and grace. The final lines leave the reader with a sense of unresolved conflict, as the crows continue their dominance while the owl remains a solitary figure, dignified yet vulnerable.

"Owl" is a meditation on the resilience of solitude in the face of disruption. Through the figure of the barn owl, Mathis explores themes of dignity, isolation, and the fragility of inner peace. The owl’s quiet strength amidst the crows’ chaos serves as a poignant reminder of the value of stillness and the courage required to maintain it in a world often ruled by noise and aggression.

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