'The Mowed Hollow' by Les Murray
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Conscious and Verbal1999When yellow leaves the skythey pipe it to the housesto go on making redand warm and floral and brownbut gradually people tire of it,return it inside metal, and goto be dark and breathe water colours.Some yellow hangs on outsideforlornly tethered to posts.Cars chase their own supply.When we went down the hollowunder the stormcloud nationsthe light was generalised therefrom vague glass places in the treesand the colours were moist and zinc,submerged and weathered and lichenwith black aisles and white poplar blues.The only yellow at allwas tight curls of fresh butteras served on stainless steelin a postwar cafe: cassia flowers,soft crystal with caraway-dipped tongues,butter mountains of cassia flowerson green, still dewed with water.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Mowed Hollow by Les Murray: A Celebration of the Rural Landscape
As soon as I started reading Les Murray's poem, The Mowed Hollow, I was drawn into a world of imagery and sound that vividly evoked the rural landscape he was describing. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and complexity of nature, and it conveys a deep appreciation for the hard work and skill involved in farming and harvesting. Despite its simplicity, The Mowed Hollow is a powerful meditation on the connection between humans and the natural world, and it speaks to the timeless themes of life, death, and rebirth.
The Poem
The Mowed Hollow is a relatively short poem, consisting of 31 lines divided into four stanzas. It is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme, and employs enjambment to create a sense of fluidity and continuity. The poem is structured around a series of images and sounds that gradually build up a picture of a rural landscape in the process of being harvested.
The first stanza introduces us to the setting of the poem, a hollow that has just been mowed. The image of the tall grass lying in rows, like "sleepers on a railway track", is both vivid and evocative, conjuring up a sense of stillness and quiet. However, this stillness is soon broken by the sound of the mower, which "ploughs and scythes" its way through the grass, leaving behind a "furrowed wave". This use of onomatopoeia and alliteration adds to the sensory impact of the poem, making the reader feel as though they are hearing and seeing the action taking place.
In the second stanza, Murray moves on to describe the aftermath of the mowing. The "swathes" of grass are left lying on the ground, "nude and pale gold", like a "ploughed-up field". The use of simile here is particularly effective, as it allows the reader to visualize the scene in a way that is both precise and lyrical. Murray also introduces the image of the "shaken net" of grass, which suggests a sense of movement and energy, as well as a kind of fragility.
The third stanza of the poem shifts focus to the human labor involved in the harvesting process. Murray describes the "reaper" who moves through the grass, cutting it with his sickle and gathering it into a "bundle". The reaper is portrayed as a skilled and efficient worker, whose actions are both simple and graceful. The use of enjambment in this stanza, as in the rest of the poem, creates a sense of motion and continuity, as though the action is unfolding in real time.
The final stanza of the poem returns to the natural world, as Murray describes the new growth that will follow the mowing. The "hooves" of the cattle will "fatten the hollow" and the "swathes" of grass that were cut will "thicken and grow up green". This sense of cyclical renewal is a key theme throughout the poem, and it speaks to the idea that life and death are intimately intertwined.
Interpretation
At its core, The Mowed Hollow is a celebration of the rural landscape and the natural world. Murray's descriptions of the grass and the sky and the sounds of the mowing all combine to create a vivid and evocative portrait of the countryside. However, the poem is also about the human labor involved in the farming and harvesting process, and it conveys a deep respect for the hard work that goes into producing food and sustaining life. The image of the reaper, in particular, stands out as a symbol of the skill and craftsmanship that are required to work with the land.
There is also a sense of cyclical renewal that pervades the poem. The mowing is a kind of death, in that it involves cutting down the grass and disrupting the natural order of things. But this death is also a kind of rebirth, as it allows for new growth to emerge. The hooves of the cattle and the natural processes of the earth all contribute to this sense of renewal, as though life is a constantly unfolding cycle of birth and death.
Finally, The Mowed Hollow is a poem that speaks to the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Murray's descriptions of the grass and the sky and the sounds of the mowing are all imbued with a sense of wonder and reverence. This sense of awe is particularly evident in the final stanza, when Murray describes the new growth that will follow the mowing. The poem is a reminder that there is beauty and richness in even the most humble and ordinary aspects of our world, and that it is up to us to appreciate and honor them.
Conclusion
Les Murray's The Mowed Hollow is a stunning example of the power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Through his vivid descriptions of the rural landscape and the sounds of the mowing, Murray conveys a deep respect for the natural processes that sustain life. The poem is also a celebration of the human labor involved in the farming and harvesting process, and it speaks to the timeless themes of life, death, and rebirth. Ultimately, The Mowed Hollow is a powerful reminder of the beauty and richness of the world around us, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to evoke wonder and awe.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Mowed Hollow: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Les Murray's "The Mowed Hollow" is a classic poem that captures the essence of rural life and the beauty of nature. This poem is a masterpiece of poetry that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers with its vivid imagery and powerful message. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall impact.
The poem begins with a description of a mowed hollow, a place where the grass has been cut down and the ground is exposed. Murray paints a picture of this place, using vivid imagery to bring it to life. He describes the "green and gold" of the grass, the "dust and heat" of the summer day, and the "scent of hay" that fills the air. This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of place and atmosphere that draws the reader in.
As the poem progresses, Murray explores the theme of nature and its relationship with humanity. He describes the "wildflowers" that grow in the mowed hollow, and how they "thrive on the sun and rain". This is contrasted with the "sweat and toil" of the farmer who mows the grass, highlighting the difference between the natural world and the human world. Murray suggests that nature is self-sufficient and does not need human intervention to thrive, while humans must work hard to achieve their goals.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, as Murray describes the "bones of the earth" that lie beneath the grass. He suggests that everything in nature is temporary and that even the most beautiful things will eventually fade away. This is reflected in the final stanza of the poem, where Murray describes the "ghosts of flowers" that remain after the grass has been cut. These "ghosts" are a reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
One of the most striking features of "The Mowed Hollow" is its use of literary devices. Murray employs a range of techniques to create a rich and evocative poem. For example, he uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. In the first stanza, he writes "green and gold" and "dust and heat", which creates a pleasing sound and draws the reader into the poem. He also uses metaphor to convey complex ideas in a simple and accessible way. For example, he describes the wildflowers as "little suns", which captures their beauty and vitality.
Another notable feature of the poem is its structure. Murray uses a free verse form, which allows him to experiment with the length and rhythm of his lines. This gives the poem a natural and organic feel, reflecting the themes of nature and humanity that it explores. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different focus. This structure allows Murray to explore different aspects of the mowed hollow and to build a sense of momentum as the poem progresses.
In conclusion, "The Mowed Hollow" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the beauty and transience of nature. Murray's use of vivid imagery, literary devices, and structure creates a powerful and evocative poem that continues to resonate with readers today. The poem explores themes of nature, humanity, and mortality, inviting the reader to reflect on their own place in the world. It is a testament to Murray's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the world around us.
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