Poem Analysis - Timber Wings

Overall Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's "Timber Wings" is a reflective and nostalgic poem that evokes a sense of timelessness and connection to nature. The poem's tone is contemplative and somewhat melancholic, with a recurring sense of longing for a past experience. The mood shifts subtly from a vivid recollection of a summer spent observing a wild pigeon to a more introspective reflection on memory and the passage of time.

Themes of Memory and Nature

The poem explores the theme of memory, particularly the enduring power of past experiences. The speaker recalls a specific summer and a wild pigeon that visited Hinkley's timber, suggesting that these memories have left a lasting impression. The repetition of "There was a wild pigeon" and "There was a summer" emphasizes the significance of these memories. The theme of nature is also prominent, as the pigeon and the timber serve as symbols of the natural world, which the speaker finds both comforting and enlightening.

Mortality and the Cyclical Nature of Life

The poem delves into the theme of mortality and the cyclical nature of life. The pigeon's song is described as telling the speaker "why night comes, why death and stars come," suggesting that the natural world holds profound truths about life and death. The whippoorwill's three-note song, which is repeated "always," further emphasizes the cyclical and eternal aspects of nature. This theme is reinforced by the speaker's reflection on the passage of time, which is described as both distant and immediate: "It is so long ago; it is like now and today."

Symbolism of the Pigeon and the Timber

The pigeon serves as a powerful symbol in the poem, representing both the beauty and mystery of nature. Its "gray wings" that "wrote their loops and triangles on the walnuts and the hazel" suggest a sense of purpose and artistry in its movements. The pigeon's song is described as having the ability to convey deep truths about life and death, making it a symbol of wisdom and enlightenment. The timber, with its walnuts and hazel, represents the natural world and the enduring presence of nature, which the speaker finds both comforting and enlightening. The timber also serves as a backdrop for the pigeon's visits, emphasizing the connection between the natural world and the speaker's memories.

Conclusion

In "Timber Wings," Carl Sandburg weaves a tapestry of memory, nature, and mortality, creating a poem that is both reflective and profound. The recurring images of the pigeon and the timber, along with the themes of memory and the cyclical nature of life, contribute to the poem's overall message of the enduring power of nature and the significance of past experiences. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own memories and the ways in which nature can provide comfort and enlightenment in the face of life's mysteries.