The
Lonely Land by
A.J.M. Smith
Cedar and jagged firuplift sharp barbs
against the gray
and cloud-piled sky;
and in the bay
blown spume and windrift by the wind
and thin, bitter spray
snap
at the whirling sky;
and the pine trees
lean one way.
snap
at the whirling sky;
and the pine trees
lean one way.
A wild duck calls
to her mate,
and the ragged
and passionate tones
stagger and fall,
and recover,
and stagger and fall,
on these stones -
are lost
in the lapping of water
on smooth, flat stones.
to her mate,
and the ragged
and passionate tones
stagger and fall,
and recover,
and stagger and fall,
on these stones -
are lost
in the lapping of water
on smooth, flat stones.
This is a beauty
of dissonance,
this resonance
of stony strand
this smoky cry
curled over a black pine
like a broken
and wind-battered branch
when the wind
bends the tops of the pines
and curdles the sky
from the north
of dissonance,
this resonance
of stony strand
this smoky cry
curled over a black pine
like a broken
and wind-battered branch
when the wind
bends the tops of the pines
and curdles the sky
from the north
This is the beauty
of strength
broken by strength
and still strong.
of strength
broken by strength
and still strong.
To listen to me read the poem to you please click the link below:
ELA A31 students: You will choose at least 2 of the questions under each poem, which you can answer best to your knowledge and understanding. You are expected to complete using full sentences and proper grammar.
How you will be marked: Poem Analysis Marking Scheme
The Lonely Land (Smith) Questions
- What effect is achieved by the choice of words such as "bitter", "ragged", and "broken"?
- What do you think the poet means by the phrase " a beauty of dissonance"?
- What is/ are your favorite line(s) in this poem and why?
- How does the poet view the land? How do you know?
INSTRUCTIONS
- Please use the google form to answer these questions to me with your name clearly marked on your assignment to get credit for your thoughts and ideas. The Lonely Land Ques- Google Docs
- Click submit once you have finished all the questions.
- By using the Google form it will be emailed to me directly.
Once you have completed your poetry questions,
please clearly mark your name on your assignment and email/ Google Doc
it to Mrs. Otke, so you can get credit for your ideas and thoughts