Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE CHIPMUNK'S DAY by RANDALL JARRELL

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: IN AND OUT THE BUSHES, UP THE IVY
Last Line: Dives to his rest
Subject(s): ANIMALS; CHIPMUNKS;

In and out the bushes, up the ivy,
Into the hole
By the old oak stump, the chipmunk flashes.
Up the pole.
To the feeder full of seeds he dashes,
Stuffs his cheeks.
The chickadee and titmouse scold him.
Down he streaks.
Red as the leaves the wind blows off the maple,
Red as a fox,
Striped like a skunk, the chipmunk whistles
Past the love seat, past the mailbox,
Down the path,
Home to his warm hole stuffed with sweet
Things to eat.
Neat and slight and shining, his front feet
Curled at his breast, he sits there while the sun
Stripes the red west
With its last light: the chipmunk
Dives to his rest.



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