Comment 49 of 49, added on September 24th, 2008 at 9:59 PM.

Self-pity invites us to think that God is uncaring or unknowing as to our plight, that we need to work things out for ourselves rather that trust in His goodness to bring joy and victory in spite of circumstances. While it is human nature to visit Pity City once in a while, it never pays to take up residence there.

Pearl from United States

Comment 47 of 49, added on August 6th, 2008 at 8:36 PM.

I hear this poem from an American film named "G.I.Jane",after I read it many times, I found I like it so much, everyone are self-pity on conscious or subconsious, I don't think it's unnecessary thing, becase the whole life is consists with all those little feelings and thought, as well as happy and pleasure......

Fiona from China

Comment 45 of 49, 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 43 of 49, 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 41 of 49, 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