Calendar

Question 1

What is the form of this poem?

Answer 1

Each stanza is a Haiku - 3 line poem (5 syllables, 7 then 5)

All Haiku’s are meant to contain a Kigo - a word or phrase which denotes what the season is.

Question 2

Describe the imagery within the first stanza.

Answer 2

• Links to ‘Swallows’ - connection between humans and nature.
• This metaphor creates the positive link between bird song and the human accomplishment of music.

Question 3

Describe the metaphor within summer.

Answer 3

Bees = oral sex
- The likening of bees pollinating and the act of cunnilingus is a crude one and gives a sense of the lustful, bacchanalian side to human nature.

Question 4

Describe the metaphor within autumn.

Answer 4

Spider web = fingerprint
- Creates the thematic link that both webs and fingerprints are unique patterns, and arguably beautiful things. However, fingerprints also carry the connotation of criminality.

Question 5

Describe the metaphor within winter.

Answer 5

Nests = blood-clots
- The nests are there to remind us of the nesting machine guns in Mametz Wood which represent humanity at its very worst. The ‘passing infection’ is a metaphor for us, or the effect that we have on the land.

Question 6

Describe the structure of this poem

Answer 6

Starts at spring - light to dark. The poem deteriorates.