The Pigeons
By Richard Kell
They paddle with staccato feet
In powder-pools of sunlight,
Small blue busybodies
Strutting like fat gentlemen
With hands clasped
Under their swallowtail coats;
And, as they stump about,
Their heads like tiny hammers
Tap at imaginary nails
In non-existent walls.
Elusive ghosts of sunshine
Slither down the green gloss
Of their necks in an instant, and are gone.Summer hangs drugged from sky to earth
In limpid fathoms of silence:
Only warm dark dimples of sound
Slide like slow bubbles
From the contented throats.Raise a casual hand
With one quick gust
They fountain into the air.
Summary of The Pigeons
- About the Poem: Richard Kell’s “The Pigeons” is a captivating poem that paints a vibrant picture of these common birds, elevating them through imaginative language and playful comparison. First published in New Poetry Workshop in 1983, the poem is celebrated for its skillful blending of detailed observation and metaphorical richness.
- The Essence of the Poem: The poem centers around a close observation of pigeons and their movements, imbuing them with human-like qualities. Kell doesn’t simply describe pigeons; he interprets their behavior, suggesting a deeper connection between the natural world and human life. The poem ultimately captures a fleeting moment of beauty and tranquility, reminding us of the fleeting nature of existence.
- Central Idea & Themes: “The Pigeons” explores themes of observation, the beauty of the mundane, and the transient nature of life. Kell encourages us to appreciate the simple pleasures found in everyday occurrences, and to recognize the inherent poetry within the natural world. The poem subtly highlights the delicate balance between presence and absence, reflecting the way moments—and life itself—can vanish quickly.
In-Depth Analysis of “The Pigeons”
Opening Stanza: Personification and Playful Imagery
The poem immediately establishes a whimsical tone. Consider the opening lines: “They paddle with staccato feet / In powder-pools of sunlight.” The use of “staccato” injects a musicality into the pigeons’ movements, suggesting a rhythmic, almost deliberate grace. The “powder-pools of sunlight” is a beautiful image that softens the harshness of concrete and turns an ordinary space into something magical. This sets the stage for the poem’s overall tendency to transform the commonplace into the extraordinary.
The personification truly blossoms with phrases like “Small blue busybodies / Strutting like fat gentlemen / With hands clasped / Under their swallowtail coats.” Kell doesn’t just say the pigeons are moving; he anthropomorphizes them, dressing them in human attire and attributing them with human characteristics—busyness and a dignified posture. This is a playful way to draw parallels between the behavior of pigeons and human behavior. The image is humorous and endearing, inviting the reader to share in the poet’s perspective.
Mid-Poem: Sensory Detail and Atmosphere
The second stanza shifts the focus to the atmosphere, creating a sense of summer stillness: “Summer hangs drugged from sky to earth / In limpid fathoms of silence.” The word “drugged” is striking; it suggests a heavy, languid heat, a sense of the world slowing down. The metaphor of “limpid fathoms of silence” is particularly effective, evoking a deep, immersive quiet. This stanza is not about the pigeons’ actions, but about the environment that surrounds them—a world suspended in a dreamy state.
The sound imagery in this section is subtle but powerful: “Only warm dark dimples of sound / Slide like slow bubbles / From the contented throats.” The “dimples of sound” is a synesthetic image that combines visual and auditory sensations. The comparison to “slow bubbles” reinforces the sense of languor and peacefulness. Kell masterfully uses sound to create a soothing, almost hypnotic effect.
Closing Stanza: Ephemeral Beauty and Sudden Departure
The final stanza is strikingly concise: “Raise a casual hand / With one quick gust / They fountain into the air.” This brevity heightens the impact of the image. The poem ends with a gesture, a simple, almost accidental movement that triggers a dramatic reaction. The word “fountain” is particularly evocative, suggesting a burst of energy and freedom.
This ending underscores the poem’s central theme of transience. The pigeons’ departure is sudden and unexpected, reminding us that even the most beautiful moments are fleeting. The poem does not offer any grand pronouncements about life or nature; instead, it presents a simple observation, leaving the reader to contemplate the fleeting nature of existence.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “The Pigeons”
Figurative Language
- Simile: The poem employs effective similes, such as “Their heads like tiny hammers” and “Slide like slow bubbles”. These comparisons allow the reader to visualize and understand the pigeons’ movements and sounds in a new light.
- Metaphor: The phrase “powder-pools of sunlight” functions as a metaphor, transforming ordinary patches of sunlight into something dreamlike and ethereal.
- Personification: Throughout the poem, pigeons are attributed with human characteristics, as seen in the lines “Small blue busybodies / Strutting like fat gentlemen.”
Sound Devices
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds is present, as in “warm dark dimples,” creating a musical quality.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds, like the short “u” in “but” and “bubbles”, subtly reinforces the poem’s sonic texture.
Structural Elements
- Enjambment: The use of enjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and momentum.
- Free Verse: The poem does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter, allowing Kell to prioritize natural language and evocative imagery.
Imagery and Symbolism
The poem is rich in visual and auditory imagery, creating a vivid sensory experience for the reader. The pigeons themselves can be interpreted as symbols of freedom, adaptability, or the beauty of the commonplace. The sudden departure of the pigeons in the final stanza can symbolize the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the present moment.
Through its evocative language and skillful use of literary devices, “The Pigeons” invites us to slow down, observe the world around us, and appreciate the simple beauty that often goes unnoticed.