Question

POEM FOR ELSA
by Michael Roberts

THAT day the blue-black rook fell pitifully dead
You wept and stormed, tossing your lovely head,
Hurling commiseration into broken skies
That wept and wept, vainly as any eyes.

You pitifully wept, nor would be comforted
Till a bedraggled robin chirped unfed
Begging for comfort-crumbs, and sought your aid
To mend a world you had not made.

You who compassionately wept, be with me still,
Though the wind lash the dark, the wooded hill;
The hand that let the wild wet creature ache
Moulded the heart that grieves, but shall not break.

Please please please can anyone tell me what this poem is about?? I cannot understand what the poet is trying to say except that there was a rook, it died and the girl couldn't stop crying until a robin came begging for help. I cannot understand especially the last stanza. Any help you give me will be GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks!

Answer 1

Birds often represent the soul or spirit of someone. Since "you" (who must be Elsa) is no longer with him, she must be dead. Just look at the words like: dead, compassionately, wept, dark, ache, grieves. When the poet uses "you" he is speaking directly to Elsa. As she mourned the bird and the world as it is, he mourns her loss.

This British poem's work is usually transcendental and philosophical.

Sra

Answer 2

Thank you soooo much!!!!!!!