BLUE-EYED grass in the meadow
And yarrow-blooms on the hill,
Cattails that rustle and whisper,
And winds that are never still;
Blue-eyed grass in the meadow,
A linnet’s nest near by,
Blackbirds caroling clearly
Somewhere between earth and sky;
Blue-eyed grass in the meadow,
And the laden bee’s low hum,
Milkweeds all by the roadside,
To tell us summer is come.
Analysis (ai): This nature poem employs anaphora with the phrase “Blue-eyed grass in the meadow” and a simple, sing-song rhythm to capture the sensory experience of an idyllic meadow, echoing the style of traditional folk songs. Unlike Austin’s more complex and introspective poems, this one offers a snapshot of the natural world, devoid of personal emotions or philosophical musings. It aligns with the emerging Modernist movement of the early 20th century, which emphasized simplicity, sensory imagery, and a departure from traditional forms. By focusing on the beauty of the meadow without overt emotional expression, the poem reflects the Modernist rejection of Romanticism’s emphasis on the subjective and emotional experience of nature.
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