Seamus Heaney

Seamus Heaney (April 13,1939 - August 30, 2013 / Castledàwson, County Londonderry)

#53 on top 500 poets

Poems by Seamus Heaney : 27 / 39

Rite Of Spring - Poem by Seamus Heaney

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So winter closed its fist
And got it stuck in the pump.
The plunger froze up a lump

In its throat, ice founding itself
Upon iron. The handle
Paralysed at an angle.

Then the twisting of wheat straw
into ropes, lapping them tight
Round stem and snout, then a light

That sent the pump up in a flame
It cooled, we lifted her latch,
Her entrance was wet, and she came.

Seamus Heaney

Poems by Seamus Heaney : 27 / 39

P. Mason (11/27/2016 8:48:00 PM)
Hmm I
Is it just me, or is Heaney dealing in a thinly veiled metaphor...? ? (Report) Reply
Bill Wright (9/1/2016 2:10:00 PM)

Like Susan below I did wonder about the last bit of this poem, especially with a title like the Rite of Spring, very symbolic. (Report) Reply
Anil Kumar Panda (2/22/2016 11:24:00 PM)

Wonderful poetry. Each line is a gem. Loved it. (Report) Reply
Susan Williams (2/22/2016 3:36:00 PM)

The water-trough struggle- keep the pipes ice free or haul water. Winter has its plagues... thankfully there is that beautiful sparkle of snow to keep us fond of the season. Ummmm.... that last bit- - is it just me or is that more than just a wee bit alluding to sexual matters? I preferred the simple poem about keeping the water flowing. (Report) Reply
Mohammed Asim Nehal (2/22/2016 11:33:00 AM)

Nicely written poem, Liked it, Wonderful. (Report) Reply
Ratnakar Mandlik (2/22/2016 4:23:00 AM)

A beautifully crafted poem with rhyme, thought provoking and intriguing too. Thanks for sharing.10 points. (Report) Reply
Edward Kofi Louis (2/22/2016 2:03:00 AM)

Her entrance was wet, and she came. Nice piece of work. (Report) Reply