A Bird Came Down the Walk is a poem by Emily Dickinson that describes the narrator’s encounter with a bird that has landed on the ground near her. The poem follows the narrator’s observations of the bird as it hops along the walk, interacts with a worm, drinks from a puddle, observes the narrator, and then flies away. The poem uses vivid imagery and clever wordplay to bring the scene to life.
Overview of the Poem
The poem consists of 5 stanzas with 4 lines each, for a total of 20 lines. It follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme in each stanza. The poem is written from the narrator’s perspective as she observes a bird that has landed near her.
Stanza 1
The first stanza introduces the bird and describes its arrival. The bird nonchalantly lands near the narrator and starts hopping along the walk. Dickinson uses words like “unceremonious” and “ordinariness” to convey the casual, everyday nature of this event.
Stanza 2
In the second stanza, the bird encounters a worm and interacts with it. The bird is personified as it exercises “opinions” about the worm and circles it with “circumspection.” But the worm doesn’t seem to notice the bird’s presence.
Stanza 3
The third stanza describes the bird drinking water from a puddle. Dickinson uses clever language to paint a vivid image of the bird dipping its beak in the water just enough to “decant” a glistening drop.
Stanza 4
The fourth stanza shifts perspective slightly as the bird seems to become aware of the narrator’s presence. It looks at the narrator sideways, first with one eye and then the other, showing both caution and curiosity.
Stanza 5
In the final stanza, the bird flies away just as nonchalantly as it arrived. Dickinson again uses the words “unceremonious” and “ordinariness” to bookend the poem and convey the casual nature of this mundane encounter. The bird’s departure is portrayed as uneventful.
Major Themes
Though it recounts a common backyard sighting, the poem explores some profound themes.
Perspective
The poem provides an up-close glimpse of a bird’s behavior and actions from a ground-level human perspective. Dickinson conveys the narrator’s sense of wonder and curiosity.
Nature
The poem celebrates the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Even a common bird is portrayed as magnificent.
Awareness
The poem highlights the bird’s alertness and intelligence. The bird keenly observes its surroundings.
Freedom
The bird’s ability to casually come and go as it pleases conveys a sense of freedom and autonomy. The poem reminds us that nature cannot be contained or controlled.
Analysis of Key Details
Several poetic techniques make this poem impactful.
Personification
Dickinson personifies the bird, giving it human traits and emotions like circumspection, opinion, and curiosity. This makes the bird seem alive.
Alliteration
Alliteration gives the poem musicality, like “hopped along the walk” and “shook the shimmering.”
Imagery
Vivid sensory details allow readers to visualize the scene. We can almost see the glistening drop of water decanted from the bird’s beak.
Structure
The orderly stanza structure complements the ordinary nature of the event depicted. The rhyme scheme gives the poem a playful, contemplative feel.
Contrast
The contrast between the bird’s casual ordinariness and the narrator’s sense of wonder highlights an appreciation for everyday nature.
Summary of Each Stanza
To summarize each stanza:
Stanza 1
A bird nonchalantly lands and starts hopping on the walk near the narrator.
Stanza 2
The bird circles a worm with curiosity but the worm seems unaware.
Stanza 3
The bird gracefully drinks water from a puddle.
Stanza 4
The bird cautiously observes the watching narrator.
Stanza 5
The bird flies casually away just as it arrived.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Bird Came Down the Walk depicts the narrator’s amusing encounter with a landing bird through vivid imagery and clever wordplay. It celebrates the beauty and complexity of nature. The bird is personified as aware and free. Key details like alliteration, structure, and contrast give the poem power. Though an ordinary event, the poem reminds us to appreciate the marvels of the natural world around us. The bird’s brief presence leaves an lasting impact.
Stanza | Summary |
---|---|
1 | A bird lands and starts hopping on the walk near the narrator |
2 | The bird circles a worm with curiosity but the worm seems unaware |
3 | The bird gracefully drinks water from a puddle |
4 | The bird cautiously observes the watching narrator |
5 | The bird flies casually away just as it arrived |