"The Writer," by Richard Wilbur
This poem is organized by stanzas of three lines each, a tercet. Each stanza seemingly introduces a new concept to the reader. However, each concept is interlinked or built upon with the next. The structure of the poem allows the reader to absorb what the author is saying, before moving on to the next stanza. This poem does not follow any rhyme scheme and is free verse.
I believe that the poet is speaking as though he is a parent, as the reader is introduced to a daughter in the first stanza:
In her room at the prow of the house Where light breaks, and the windows are tossed with linden, My daughter is writing a story. (Lines 1-3)
While this poem is taking place in a house, the poet refers to the
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The speaker describes how the bird is wild and dark, and also iridescent in color. This gives the reader a well-rounded visual of the creature. The struggles of the bird are further conveyed as it becomes humped and bloody. However, the spirit of the bird would not falter. The speaker uses the word brilliance instead of a window. Additionally, he compares the bird falling to that of a glove. The use of figurative language allows for the meaning to come across in a creative way.
By setting the same scene for both instances, in the beginning and with the struggling bird, the speaker is relating the two together. The daughter, much like the wild bird, is struggling with her heavy cargo of who she is. The bird, in the end, does find the open window and clears the sill of the world. Again, this can be related to the daughter in that eventually she will overcome her obstacles and find her identity. The poem ends on the lines:
"It is always a matter, my darling, Of life or death, as I had forgotten. I wish What I wished you before, but harder." (Lines