Literature Annotations
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Kinnell, Galway |
 | On-Line Text |
| Genre | Poem |
| Keywords | Empathy, Human Worth, Nature, Spirituality |
| Summary | The bud / stands for all things, / even for things that don't flower . . . . The poet observes that everything flowers from within, if given the chance. Sometimes, however, a being doesn't understand its own loveliness and must be retaught. St. Francis, for example, had to "put his hand on the creased forehead / of the sow . . ." and reveal to her how blessed she was, before she could remember throughout her whole being "the long perfect loveliness of sow." |
| Commentary | Kinnell celebrates the essential goodness and beauty of all things. This is a powerful poem for healing. |
| Source | Mortal Acts, Mortal Words |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
| Edition | 1960 |
| Place Published | Boston |
| Annotated by | Coulehan, Jack |
| Date of Entry | 07/11/94 |
| Last Revised | 01/09/07 |