“Since we had always sky about,when we had eagles they flew outleaving no shadow bigger then wrens'to trouble our most aeromantic hens.Too busy bridging loneliness to be alonewe hacked in ties what Emily etched in bone.We French, we English, never lost our civil war,Endure it still, a bloodless civil bore;No wounded lying about, no Whitman wanted.It's only by our lack of ghosts we're haunted.”
In this quote from Earle Birney's poem, the speaker reflects on the experience of living in a place where there is always sky above, filled with eagles that eventually depart without leaving a lasting impact. The speaker describes how despite the lack of physical scars from a civil war, there is still a lingering sense of haunting and loneliness. The mention of Emily etching in bone contrasts with the speaker's own experience of hacking in ties, suggesting a sense of disconnect and longing for connection. The imagery of eagles leaving no shadow bigger than wrens and the reference to Whitman wanting wounded individuals creates a haunting atmosphere that lingers throughout the poem.
The poem "Bushed" by Earle Birney reflects on the theme of isolation and a lack of connection with the past. In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, many people can relate to feeling disconnected from their roots and history. The mention of the civil war and the absence of ghosts haunting the speaker highlights a sense of emptiness and longing for a deeper connection to the past. This sentiment can resonate with individuals who struggle to find a sense of belonging or continuity in the midst of contemporary complexities.
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