'Cockspur Bush' by Les Murray
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Translations from the Natural World1992I am lived. I am died.
I was two-leafed three times, and grazed,
but then I was stemmed and multiplied,
sharp-thorned and caned, nested and raised,earth-salt by sun-sugar. I was innerly sung
by thrushes who need fear no eyed skin thing.
Finched, ant-run, flowered, I am given the years
in now fewer berries, now more of sling
out over directions of luscious dung.
Of water crankshaft, of gases the gears
my shape is cattle-pruned to a crown spread sprung
above the starve-gut instinct to make prairies
of everywhere. My thorns are stuck with caries
of mice and rank lizards by the butcher bird.
Inches in, baby seed-screamers get supplied.
I am lived and died in, vine woven, multiplied.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cockspur Bush: A Poem of Nature and Culture
Les Murray's "Cockspur Bush" is one of the most beautiful and complex poems of nature and culture. Written in 1981, the poem is a masterpiece of lyrical expression and philosophical insight, exploring the intricate connections between humans and the natural world. With its vivid imagery, musical language, and profound themes, "Cockspur Bush" captures the essence of Murray's poetic vision and establishes him as one of the greatest poets of our time.
Context and Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to provide some context and background. Les Murray (1938-2019) was an Australian poet and critic, widely regarded as one of the most significant voices in contemporary poetry. Born and raised in rural New South Wales, Murray was deeply influenced by his experiences of the Australian landscape and its people. His poetry often explores themes of nature, identity, and culture, and is characterized by its musicality, complexity, and emotional depth.
"Cockspur Bush" was first published in Murray's 1981 collection "The People's Otherworld". The poem is dedicated to "the memory of Jack and Dolly Murray", Les Murray's grandparents, who were farmers in New South Wales. The title of the poem refers to the cockspur thorn, a bushy tree found in many parts of Australia, which has sharp thorns and produces bright red berries.
Analysis
Now let us turn to the poem itself, and examine its themes, imagery, and language.
Theme
At its core, "Cockspur Bush" is a poem about the relationship between humans and nature. Murray explores this theme through a series of rich and evocative images, which depict the natural world as both beautiful and dangerous, nurturing and destructive. The poem suggests that humans are intimately connected to nature, and that our lives are inextricably bound up with the rhythms and cycles of the natural world.
Structure and Form
"Cockspur Bush" consists of six stanzas of varying length, each containing four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and organic flow, reflecting the natural world that it describes.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of "Cockspur Bush" is its vivid and powerful imagery. Murray uses a wide range of images to convey the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Some of the most striking images in the poem include:
- "grey-white sand, scarred pasture, burnt bush"
- "a ripple of grass, a gully’s cartoon curve"
- "the lizard, like a lawnmower, blinking"
- "the blowflies' blue metal noise"
These images are rich and evocative, conjuring up a vivid picture of the Australian landscape and its inhabitants.
Language and Tone
Murray's use of language in "Cockspur Bush" is highly poetic and musical. He employs a wide range of devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia, to create a sense of rhythm and melody. The tone of the poem is both celebratory and contemplative, suggesting a deep reverence for the natural world and a desire to understand its mysteries.
Interpretation
So what does "Cockspur Bush" mean? What is Murray trying to say with this poem?
At a basic level, the poem is a celebration of the natural world and its beauty. Murray depicts the Australian landscape as a place of both harshness and wonder, where life is fragile and precious. He suggests that humans are a part of this landscape, and that we have a responsibility to care for it and protect it.
But there is more to the poem than just a celebration of nature. Murray also explores the tension between human culture and the natural world. Throughout the poem, he contrasts the wildness and freedom of nature with the constraints and limitations of human society. The cockspur bush, with its thorns and berries, becomes a symbol of this tension, representing the clash between the natural and the cultural.
Ultimately, "Cockspur Bush" is a poem of great depth and complexity, exploring some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. It is a testament to Murray's poetic vision and his ability to capture the essence of the natural world in all its beauty and mystery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Cockspur Bush" is a remarkable poem that deserves to be read and studied by anyone interested in the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Les Murray's lyrical language, vivid imagery, and profound themes combine to create a work of great power and insight. Whether read as a celebration of nature or a meditation on the human condition, "Cockspur Bush" is a masterpiece of contemporary poetry, and a testament to the enduring power of the written word.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid imagery, and transport the reader to a different world. Les Murray's "Cockspur Bush" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of a place and its people. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its significance and impact.
Les Murray was an Australian poet who was known for his ability to capture the essence of rural Australia in his works. "Cockspur Bush" is a poem that was published in his 1980 collection "The People's Otherworld." The poem is set in a rural Australian town and explores the themes of isolation, loss, and the passage of time.
The poem begins with the line "The cockspur bush is in flower" which immediately sets the scene for the reader. The cockspur bush is a type of plant that is native to Australia and is known for its sharp thorns. The fact that the bush is in flower suggests that it is springtime, a time of renewal and growth. However, the use of the word "cockspur" also suggests that there is a sense of danger or aggression present in the poem.
The first stanza of the poem describes the town as being "isolated" and "far from the sea." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea of isolation and the impact it has on the people who live there. The second stanza introduces the character of "Old Harry," who is described as being "bent and grey." The use of the word "old" suggests that he has lived in the town for a long time and has seen it change over the years. The fact that he is "bent" and "grey" suggests that he is tired and worn out, perhaps from a lifetime of hard work.
The third stanza introduces the theme of loss, as Old Harry talks about how the town used to be "full of people." He describes how there used to be "a pub and a store and a blacksmith's shop" but now they are all gone. The use of the word "used" suggests that these things are no longer present, and the fact that they are all gone suggests that the town has been in decline for some time.
The fourth stanza introduces the cockspur bush again, this time describing it as being "a blaze of blood." The use of the word "blaze" suggests that the bush is very bright and eye-catching, but the use of the word "blood" suggests that there is a sense of danger or violence present. This is reinforced by the next line, which describes the bush as being "armed with thorns." The fact that the bush is described as being "armed" suggests that it is a threat to anyone who comes near it.
The fifth stanza introduces the character of "Mrs. Wilson," who is described as being "old and thin." The fact that she is described as being "old" suggests that she has lived in the town for a long time, and the fact that she is "thin" suggests that she may be struggling to make ends meet. The fact that she is "alone" suggests that she is isolated, and the fact that she is "watching the bush" suggests that she is perhaps afraid of it.
The sixth stanza introduces the theme of the passage of time, as Old Harry talks about how the town used to be "a place of horses and buggies." The fact that he is talking about a time when horses and buggies were common suggests that he is very old, and the fact that he is reminiscing about the past suggests that he is perhaps feeling nostalgic. The fact that he talks about how "the world has changed" suggests that he is aware of the fact that time has passed and things are different now.
The seventh stanza describes how the cockspur bush is "a beacon to the lost." The use of the word "beacon" suggests that the bush is a guiding light, but the fact that it is described as being "to the lost" suggests that it is only helpful to those who are lost. This reinforces the theme of isolation, as it suggests that the bush is only helpful to those who are alone and struggling.
The eighth stanza introduces the character of "the boy," who is described as being "barefoot." The fact that he is barefoot suggests that he is poor, and the fact that he is "watching the bush" suggests that he is perhaps fascinated by it. The fact that he is "alone" suggests that he is also isolated, and the fact that he is described as being a "boy" suggests that he is young and perhaps vulnerable.
The ninth stanza describes how the cockspur bush is "a flame to the moth." The use of the word "flame" suggests that the bush is very bright and eye-catching, but the fact that it is described as being "to the moth" suggests that it is only helpful to those who are drawn to danger. This reinforces the theme of danger and violence that runs throughout the poem.
The final stanza of the poem describes how the cockspur bush is "a sign of hope." The use of the word "hope" suggests that there is a sense of optimism present, but the fact that it is only a "sign" suggests that it is not a guarantee. The fact that the bush is described as being "in flower" suggests that there is still growth and renewal happening, even in a place that is isolated and struggling.
In conclusion, Les Murray's "Cockspur Bush" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of isolation, loss, and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Murray captures the essence of a rural Australian town and the impact that isolation can have on the people who live there. The use of the cockspur bush as a symbol of danger and violence reinforces the sense of isolation and struggle that runs throughout the poem, but the fact that it is also a symbol of hope suggests that there is still growth and renewal happening, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
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