'The Mowed Hollow' by Les Murray
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When yellow leaves the sky
they pipe it to the houses
to go on making red
and warm and floral and brown
but gradually people tire of it,
return it inside metal, and go
to be dark and breathe water colours.
Some yellow hangs on outside
forlornly tethered to posts.
Cars chase their own supply.
When we went down the hollow
under the stormcloud nations
the light was generalised there
from vague glass places in the trees
and the colours were moist and zinc,
submerged and weathered and lichen
with black aisles and white poplar blues.
The only yellow at all
was tight curls of fresh butter
as served on stainless steel
in a postwar cafe: cassia flowers,
soft crystal with caraway-dipped tongues,
butter mountains of cassia flowers
on green, still dewed with water.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into "The Mowed Hollow" by Les Murray
Les Murray's poem "The Mowed Hollow" is a masterful portrayal of the cycle of life and death, using the image of a field of grass being cut down to reveal the hidden world beneath. Through vivid imagery, powerful themes, and masterful wordplay, Murray creates a haunting and deeply affecting poem that lingers long after reading.
Setting the Scene
The poem opens with a description of the field before it is mowed, with the grass standing tall and "stiffening" in the heat of the day. The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a field that is alive and thriving. But then, the mower arrives, and the scene is transformed:
And then the scythes glittered and the sparks flew
As the field fell to the scythes, lost its stiffening,
The moment of transformation is captured beautifully in these lines, as the scythes become almost magical instruments, causing the field to "fall" and lose its vitality. The use of the verb "fell" is particularly interesting, as it suggests not only physical movement but also a sense of loss or defeat.
The Hidden World
As the field is mowed, a hidden world is revealed: "the ground spoke up with a scream / And the grass lay beaten and weeping". The use of personification here is powerful, turning the field into a living, breathing entity with its own voice and emotions. The idea of the grass "weeping" is particularly poignant, evoking a sense of pain and loss.
But beneath the surface, there is also a sense of renewal and regeneration. The "knives" of the mower cut down the old growth, making way for new growth to emerge:
And the old grass was cut down and new grass began
To grow in its place, a tenderer green
This theme of renewal and regeneration is one of the central themes of the poem, and Murray explores it with great depth and nuance.
Life and Death
At its heart, "The Mowed Hollow" is a meditation on the cycle of life and death. The mower is like a grim reaper, cutting down the grass and revealing the hidden world beneath. But even in death, there is the promise of new life, as the old grass is replaced by new growth. The poem suggests that death is not an end, but rather a necessary part of the cycle of life.
The imagery of the field being mowed is also reminiscent of a battlefield, with the grass standing in for soldiers. This creates a sense of unease and discomfort, as the reader is forced to confront the idea of death and loss. But again, there is the sense that this is not the end – that there is something beyond death.
Wordplay and Metaphor
Murray's use of metaphor and wordplay is masterful, adding layers of depth and meaning to the poem. For example, the line "the stiffening grasses were crouched" creates a sense of tension and anticipation, as if the grasses are waiting for something to happen. Similarly, the use of the verb "mow" is interesting – it is a violent and destructive act, but it is also necessary for new growth to occur.
The imagery of the "mowed hollow" is also powerful, suggesting a sense of emptiness and loss. But again, there is the promise of new growth and renewal – the "hollow" will not remain empty forever.
Conclusion
"The Mowed Hollow" is a haunting and deeply affecting poem that explores the cycle of life and death with great depth and nuance. Murray's use of imagery, metaphor, and wordplay is masterful, adding layers of meaning and depth to the poem. It is a poem that lingers long after reading, leaving the reader with a sense of both loss and renewal.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Mowed Hollow: A Masterpiece of Rural Poetry
Les Murray, the renowned Australian poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. Among his many masterpieces, The Mowed Hollow stands out as a classic example of rural poetry that captures the essence of the Australian landscape and its people. This poem is a beautiful portrayal of the relationship between humans and nature, and it explores the themes of life, death, and renewal. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of The Mowed Hollow and analyze its various aspects.
The Mowed Hollow is a poem that describes a scene of a mowed field in a hollow. The poem begins with a vivid description of the field, which is "mowed to stubble, the grass is in seed." The imagery is so vivid that the reader can almost feel the texture of the stubble and see the seeds blowing in the wind. The poem then goes on to describe the animals that inhabit the field, such as the "hopping crickets" and the "lizard that flicks out its tongue." The poem also mentions the presence of snakes, which adds a sense of danger and unpredictability to the scene.
As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the mowed field is a metaphor for life and death. The poem describes how the field was once "full of life," but now it is "empty and dead." The animals that once thrived in the field are now gone, and the only sound is the "wind in the grass." This imagery is a powerful representation of the cycle of life and death that is present in nature. The poem suggests that death is not an end but a part of the natural cycle of life, and that new life will eventually emerge from the ashes of the old.
The Mowed Hollow also explores the theme of renewal. The poem describes how the field will eventually be "green again," and how the animals will return to the field. This imagery is a powerful reminder that even in the face of death and destruction, there is always the possibility of renewal and growth. The poem suggests that even though life may seem bleak and empty at times, there is always hope for a brighter future.
One of the most striking aspects of The Mowed Hollow is its use of language. Les Murray's use of language is both simple and complex, and it creates a sense of depth and richness in the poem. The poem is full of vivid imagery and sensory details that bring the scene to life. For example, the poem describes the "hopping crickets" and the "lizard that flicks out its tongue," which creates a sense of movement and activity in the scene. The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase "the wind in the grass" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which creates a sense of continuity and unity.
Another aspect of The Mowed Hollow that is worth exploring is its structure. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with four lines. The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, which reflects the simplicity of the scene that is being described. However, the poem also has a sense of depth and complexity that is revealed through its use of language and imagery. The structure of the poem creates a sense of balance and symmetry, which adds to its overall beauty and elegance.
In conclusion, The Mowed Hollow is a masterpiece of rural poetry that captures the essence of the Australian landscape and its people. The poem explores the themes of life, death, and renewal, and it does so with a sense of depth and richness that is both simple and complex. Les Murray's use of language and imagery is masterful, and it creates a vivid and powerful scene that is both beautiful and haunting. The Mowed Hollow is a classic example of the power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
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