Considering The Snail - A poem by Thom Gunn


Poem of the Day \| Top 30 \| Poets \| Shopping \| Forums \| Search \| Comments Today, on October 13th, 2008, the site contains 193 poets, 8,680 poems and 4,600 comments.

Thom Gunn - Considering The Snail

The snail pushes through a green
night, for the grass is heavy
with water and meets over
the bright path he makes, where rain
has darkened the earth's dark.  He
moves in a wood of desire,

pale antlers barely stirring
as he hunts.  I cannot tell
what power is at work, drenched there 
with purpose, knowing nothing.
What is a snail's fury?  All 
I think is that if later

I parted the blades above
the tunnel and saw the thin
trail of broken white across
litter, I would never have 
imagined the slow passion
to that deliberate progress.

Added: on June 14th, 2005 at 5:42 PM | Viewed: 2882 times | Comments (2)

Considering The Snail - Comments and Information
Poet: Thom Gunn Poem: Considering The Snail Comment 2 of 2, added on January 7th, 2007 at 5:57 AM. it is a poem of objective co-relative.The Poet wants to convey that even a snail has a message to teach us that is we take every step with lot of caution.he compares this temperament with snail's slowness.The poet,first gives the realistic movement of the snail.It is also used as an image.The setting of the poem is night and dark.the poem is built on contrast.it has contrast of light and dark."green night"in the poem refers to grasses.As the snail is slowly pushing,the night seems to be green for it.Snail moves in darkness and it leaves light behind it. SUGAPRIYA from India Comment 1 of 2, added on June 14th, 2005 at 5:42 PM. I have chosen your poem to recit tomorrw for my grade seven project. I absoulutely adore your poem and hope you get this for it is out of pure respect. sarah from Canada More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Considering The Snail, has received 2 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Thom Gunn with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
Considering The Snail Last read: 2008-10-13 15:23:03 Viewed 2882 times. Added on June 14th, 2005 at 5:42 PM.

Gunn Info
Biography More Poems (3 poems) Books