The poem is extracted from Nissim Ezekiel’s forth volume of poems that appeared in 1965 under the name The Exact Name. Here, Ezekiel tries to analyze the creative process of the poet, and makes an attempt at defining it. He compares a poet in this sense, to a bird-watcher or lover. It is only perseverance and inspiration that results in a natural poem.
Ornithologists and lovers do not rush their way towards things, they rather wait for the apt moment .Likewise, the art of poetic diction does not result after much after-thought. It is rather a spontaneous process. The poet echoes Wordsworth’s definition of poetry a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings”. Just as an ornithologist waits for a bird in order to patiently identify its movements, and accurately classify and describe the bird, a lover waits patiently for his lady love to submit to him without much ado. Likewise, a poet must proceed with great resolve for his poetic consciousness to comply with him. The poet makes use of two apt metaphors, the first a bird for the ‘flight of imagination’ and, second-the ladylove as a source of inspiration.
Therefore, it is perfect endurance or slow movement that results in fruition.…
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