The Awakening River

Katherine Mansfield

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The gulls are mad-in-love with the river,
And the river unveils her face and smiles.
In her sleep-brooding eyes they mirror their shining wings.
She lies on silver pillows: the sun leans over her.
He warms and warms her, he kisses and kisses her.
There are sparks in her hair and she stirs in laughter.
Be careful, my beautiful waking one! You will catch
on fire.
Wheeling and flying with the foam of the sea on their
breasts,
The ineffable mists of the sea clinging to their wild wings,
Crying the rapture of the boundless ocean,
The gulls are mad-in-love with the river.
Wake! we are the dream thoughts flying form your heart.
Wake! we are the songs of desire flowing from your
bosom.
O, I think the sun will lend her his great wings
And the river will fly to the sea with the mad-in-
love birds.

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Comments1
  • Nawal

    Wow, Iremember reading this poem back in elementary school! It's such a beautiful dipiction of nature and the river, like "the sun leans over her. He warms...her." So much emotion wrapped in imagery, its all kinda mesmerising. But, does the birds represent anything specific, or is it just to paint a picture? Its been racking my brain for my English homework...pls help!