Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Falcon" by Elinor Wylie, the speaker reflects on the power of imagination and its fleeting nature, using the imagery of a bird—specifically, a falcon—as a metaphor for this elusive and powerful force. The poem contemplates the paradoxical qualities of imagination: its ability to soar to great heights and offer beauty, while also being fragile and ephemeral. Through the bird imagery, Wylie highlights the tension between the desire to capture and control this imaginative energy and the reality of its inevitable departure.

The poem opens with the speaker questioning why their "sleepy heart" should be made to respond to the external world by "whistling mocking-bird replies." The mockingbird, known for mimicking the sounds of other birds, here symbolizes the attempt to imitate or respond to external stimuli rather than engage with a deeper, more authentic source of inspiration. The "sleepy heart" suggests a weariness or reluctance to engage in this imitation, indicating that the speaker is yearning for something more genuine or profound.

The falcon that follows is described as a bird "you've caught," but it is a creature with more than just physical beauty. It has "soft-feathered" wings, but more importantly, "falcon's eyes"—symbolizing both grace and sharp vision, suggesting that the imagination, like the falcon, has the ability to see and understand things that are beyond ordinary perception. This transition from the mockingbird to the falcon underscores the poem's shift from imitation to a higher form of inspiration, where the imagination is not just a response to external stimuli but an active, powerful force that can reach beyond the mundane.

The speaker further describes the "bird Imagination" as one that "flies so far, that dies so soon." This line captures the transient nature of imagination, emphasizing that while it has the capacity to soar to great heights—represented by the bird's flight—it is also inherently fleeting. The bird's wings are "colored like the sun," representing the brilliance and vitality of imagination, while its breast is "colored like the moon," evoking a sense of mystery and impermanence. These contrasting images of the sun and the moon symbolize the dual nature of imagination: it is both dazzling and elusive, offering moments of brilliance that fade as quickly as they appear.

The speaker then suggests that the bird should be given a "chain of silver twist" and a "little hood of scarlet wool," symbols of adornment and care. These offerings suggest the speaker's desire to possess and protect the imagination, yet the chain and the hood also emphasize the impossibility of fully controlling or containing this powerful force. By placing the bird on the wrist and telling it it is beautiful, the speaker seeks to validate and appreciate the imagination, acknowledging its fleeting beauty even as it remains elusive.

In "Falcon," Wylie uses the metaphor of the falcon to explore the nature of imagination—its soaring beauty, its transient nature, and the speaker's struggle to hold onto it. The poem reflects a deep appreciation for the power and potential of the imaginative mind, while also recognizing that it cannot be possessed or maintained for long. The fleeting quality of the imagination is captured in the image of the bird, which, despite being revered and adored, ultimately cannot be kept or controlled.

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