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Comment 45 of 45, added on March 26th, 2007 at 8:07 AM.
About this poem I can only say that this man was one hell of a writer.
A two-line poem with so much depth, and words that is so powerful.
Every time I face a hard decision in my life, I refer to this poem for
inspiration and comfort. It has even helped me in this time of my life,
getting through the feeling of a great loss. Lawrence was not just a poet
but an artist with typewriter and paper as his pallet. Expressions like
wordsmith would not even begin to describe his talent.
jesse from United States
Comment 44 of 45, added on January 1st, 2007 at 9:00 PM.
How do we know the bird did not feel sorry for itself?
Anyone who has ever had a puppy or a dog knows this.
Joe from United States
Comment 43 of 45, added on July 21st, 2006 at 7:43 AM.
It seems when poetry is used in movies, awareness of the poet/poem increase. Check out "Brown Penny" by Yeats (movie connection).
The wild thing in line one also has many meanings beyond the bird. I think there could be something said about those that kill, as in crazy killers--and I am NOT comparing killers to soldiers (too many of my family have served in the military with honor). Ever notice when most crazy killers, for example Charles Manson, are interviewed they always claim they killed for a good reason, or it was the other person's fault; there is no ownership for the act of killing.
Many of the comments posted are so well-written. For the critics, and those that lack thinking beyond the literal, why not keep an open mind? Like someone posted--poetry is many things. I was really touched by the former soldiers comments, and found it interesting that this poem really is used as part of the S.E.A.L. training.
dallas from United States
Comment 42 of 45, added on June 22nd, 2006 at 8:16 AM.
D H Lawrence's poem describes my Father to me. My father fought a long stoic battle against chronic illness, he finally lost a battle with cancer. My Father like the small bird never felt sorry for himself and was one of the most optimistic and strong souls I have had the privilage to know. I intend to read this poem at his service to tell everyone how strong he was.
Leigh from United Kingdom
Comment 41 of 45, added on June 14th, 2006 at 6:21 AM.
I really like the poem. It is a simple and reflective statment on self-pity.
In stating the obvious, I think that the poem challenges us to reflect on the idea that a wild thing CANNOT have self-pity because of its inability to appreciate the future and make choices based on it. The wild thing just deals with the circumstance as best it can without contemplating any future.
I'm sure the little bird was ruffling its feathers as it got colder and colder. It probably tucked its little head deep in its little feathery down. Maybe it moved closer to a leaf to get out of the cold wind. But, as the poem makes us relfect on for our benefit, it never thought about dying. It never thought of giving up just because it could not appreciate the future.
For us, I think the "cold" in this poem is the freezing grip of self-pity. Unlike a wild thing, however, appreciating the future and making choices is what makes us human. We create the "cold" and as such should recognize when it is coming. We cannot give up this part of us that creates the self-pity; to do so would also be to give up the ability to hold purpose and hope. But, we can remember that little bird when we find ourselves pondering an inevitability and see the cold coming. And, like the little bird we will remember to not give up! But, like a human, we will hold onto purpose and hope, and decide to move from the cold.
John from United States
Comment 40 of 45, added on May 22nd, 2006 at 5:18 PM.
This poem is truly beautiful to me; not just because of it's simplicity and eloquence, but because of it's insight. Life is so short, spending its precious moments in self pity only works to belie its true purpose...to live. A live without enrichment, without risk, without love, and with regret is a life left unlived.
Living is an end unto itself.
Don from United States
Comment 39 of 45, added on May 17th, 2006 at 8:21 PM.
i was looking this poem many times fortunaly today i can pound it i am so proud about it it is really hard i am trying to keep it my self i remember this kind of self in my reality thanks a lot to those how are interested in poetry
victor largo from Colombia
Comment 38 of 45, added on May 2nd, 2006 at 3:22 PM.
This poem is by far the simplest poem I have ever read in my life....yet....it has such an impact. Unfortunately, many people these days (including me a while back) get to such a level of self pity that they end up doing very little to help their problems, blaming anyone they can around them, not taking responsability for their own destiny. This poem truly is a piece of inspirational material that everyone must keep close to them. I've put it on my wallpaper on my Ipaq!!! Everyday I'm reminded of how self-pity is truly a self-destructive emotion!!!
David from Brazil
Comment 37 of 45, added on April 26th, 2006 at 10:31 AM.
This Poem helped my daughter fight stage 4 colon cancer when she felt self pity she would say it to her self.
Janice from United States
Comment 36 of 45, added on March 24th, 2006 at 12:35 AM.
Viggo Mortensen deserves a lot of credit...i think at least. The use and meaning of the poem Self-Pity by D.H. Lawrence was used to perfection in G.I. Jane. We all know the importance of a great poetic style of reading and Viggo pretty much knocked it out of the park! Only a handful of people can pull this one off in such a perfect way.
Ian from United States
This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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Copyright © 2003-2008 Gunnar Bengtsson, Poetry Connection. All Rights Reserved.
About this poem I can only say that this man was one hell of a writer.
A two-line poem with so much depth, and words that is so powerful.
Every time I face a hard decision in my life, I refer to this poem for
inspiration and comfort. It has even helped me in this time of my life,
getting through the feeling of a great loss. Lawrence was not just a poet
but an artist with typewriter and paper as his pallet. Expressions like
wordsmith would not even begin to describe his talent.
jesse from United States