On the Move (Masterplots II: Poetry, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Thom Gunn
- First Published: 1955
- Type of Work: Lyric
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric poetry
- Subjects: 1950’s, Traveling or travelers, Existentialism, Birds, Instinct, Motorcycles or motorbikes, Motion, Motivation
The Poem
“On the Move” is composed in five eight-line stanzas, with the rhyme scheme abaccddb. The poem begins by observing the movement of birds in their natural surroundings and comparing their movement to human action. Whether driven by natural “instinct,” acquired “poise,” or some combination of the two, the birds seem to have some “hidden purpose” to give meaning to their motion. The “One” of the poem who observes them wonders whether his own “uncertain violence” of motion is driven by the same forces. Until now he has been bewildered equally...
[The entire page is 1514 words long]
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