Subscribe: by Email | in Reader

Thistles -- Ted Hughes

       
(Poem #417) Thistles
Against the rubber tongues of cows and the hoeing hands of men
Thistles spike the summer air
And crackle open under a blue-black pressure.

Every one a revengeful burst
Of resurrection, a grasped fistful
Of splintered weapons and Icelandic frost thrust up

From the underground stain of a decayed Viking.
They are like pale hair and the gutturals of dialects.
Every one manages a plume of blood.

Then they grow grey like men.
Mown down, it is a feud. Their sons appear
Stiff with weapons, fighting back over the same ground.
-- Ted Hughes
One of the marks of a great poet is the ability to take a perfectly ordinary
object and cast it in an entirely new light. Hughes does this with the thistles
of today's poem - transforming them from humble weeds into a symbol of strength
and resistance. As George Macbeth says,

"[Thistles] is a short paean of praise to the unkillable virtue of heroism. By
presenting this quality through the nature of part of the vegetable, rather than
the animal, kingdom, Hughes contrives to give it an air of naturalness and
inevitability, as if heroism like the flowers in spring is something which must
go on for ever."

Of course, the fact that it mentions Icelandic frost and Viking gutturals makes
it utterly irresistible to someone like me...

thomas.

[Links]

Hughes' poetry is centred on the natural world, as our previous offerings
testify:

'The Thought Fox', a poem about being visited by the Muse: poem #98

'Hawk Roosting', a depiction of the ruthless egotism of a tyrant: poem #42

Martin once ran a week of poems loosely based on the theme of 'defiance';
here they are: poem #34, poem #36, poem #38.

55 comments: ( or Leave a comment )

Kartik Kumar said...

Hi guys!
I kinda think this poem is about the continuity and futility of war. THe thistles may be soldiers or invaders who attack fields, take over, and then get killed. THey keep coming back however, adn the never ending battle goes on.

-Kartik

Rebekah said...

I think that thistles is about the Vikings attack on Scotland and how the thistles were used to drive them back. It describes the ongoing protectio that the thistles offer the Scots. This may also explain why the national emblem of Scotland is the Thistle.

Busana Muslim said...

in this case, the enchantment of the night. (This takes a page
from Jacques Derrida's postmodernist playbook.) And yet we keep trying,
as the poem so wonderfully points out.

Jasa Penerjemah Tersumpah | Jasa Penerjemah | Penerjemah Resmi said...

in this case, the enchantment of the night. (This takes a page
from Jacques Derrida's postmodernist playbook.) And yet we keep trying,
as the poem so wonderfully points out.

Anonymous said...

Ted Hughes uses personification to structure this poem

Anonymous said...

Ted Hughes describes the life cycle of the thistles and how difficult it is to get rid of this flower.Hughes creates a visual image in a reader's mind

Anonymous said...

thistles is SHIT.

Anonymous said...

like the comment on my comment LOL TREUEEEEE

Anonymous said...

i need help understanding this poem

Anonymous said...

This poem is great.

Anonymous said...

Hi there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and
let you know a few of the images aren't loading correctly. I'm not sure
why but I think its a linking issue. I've tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.
Review my page ... make quick money online free

Anonymous said...

I like the helpful information you provide to your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at again right here frequently.
I am reasonably sure I'll be told a lot of new stuff right right here! Good luck for the next!
Feel free to visit my blog post shareasale & google affiliate network reviews

Anonymous said...

This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really impressed
to read all at alone place.
My web site :: My Account

Anonymous said...

Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of
the pictures aren't loading properly. I'm not sure why
but I think its a linking issue. I've tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.
my page - canada payday loans online

Anonymous said...

If you are going for most excellent contents like myself, only visit this site all
the time because it offers feature contents, thanks
Feel free to surf my blog post ; Top penny Stocks for 2011

Anonymous said...

When I originally commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now
each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
Thanks a lot!
Also visit my blog post online casino gbbabge

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It actually was once a enjoyment account it.
Look complex to far brought agreeable from you! By the way,
how can we be in contact?
My page :: best Online Casinos usa

Anonymous said...

I was very pleased to uncover this site. I want to to thank you
for your time for this fantastic read!! I definitely savored every little bit
of it and I have you bookmarked to check
out new things in your site.

my page - http://betonsoftcasinos.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement
account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!

However, how can we communicate?

Feel free to surf to my web-site :: payday loans

Anonymous said...

Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I'd like to follow you if that would be okay. I'm definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.


Have a look at my web blog How To Detox Your Body

Anonymous said...

Just want to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is just nice and i can assume you're an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the rewarding work.

my blog; Youtube.com

Anonymous said...

Hi! I know this is kind of off topic but I was
wondering which blog platform are you using for this site?
I'm getting fed up of Wordpress because I've had issues with hackers and I'm looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

Visit my webpage ... How To Lose Belly Fat

Anonymous said...

I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but
your blogs really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. All the best

My homepage; how to lose belly fat

Anonymous said...

I think this is among the most important info for me. And i'm glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The site style is perfect, the articles is really nice : D. Good job, cheers

Also visit my web page :: click for source

Anonymous said...

Hi there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I
was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?

I'm using the same blog platform as yours and I'm having difficulty finding one?
Thanks a lot!

Also visit my web site - Youtube.com

Anonymous said...

Great blog here! Also your site loads up very fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

Also visit my weblog; Ps3 jailbreak

Anonymous said...

Hello there, You have done a great job. I'll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I'm sure they'll be benefited from this web site.

My web page :: Unknown

Anonymous said...

It's amazing in favor of me to have a site, which is valuable designed for my know-how. thanks admin

Also visit my web blog Diaper Rash Remedies

Anonymous said...

Great delivery. Outstanding arguments. Keep up the great spirit.


My blog post Unknown

Anonymous said...

Hi, just wanted to tell you, I liked this post. It was helpful.
Keep on posting!

Also visit my weblog; Unknown

Anonymous said...

I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet
people, its really really fastidious article on building up new web site.



Also visit my weblog; Dragonvale Cheats

Anonymous said...

Actually no matter if someone doesn't be aware of then its up to other users that they will help, so here it happens.

My website ... Code Psn Gratuit

Anonymous said...

It's an remarkable post for all the online people; they will take advantage from it I am sure.

Feel free to visit my blog post - Unknown

Anonymous said...

I think the admin of this web page is truly working hard in support of his web page, because here every material is
quality based stuff.

My blog ... Eco Sanctuary

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, what a blog it is! This webpage gives useful information to us, keep it up.


My weblog microsoft points

Anonymous said...

If you wish for to improve your experience just keep visiting this website and be updated with the most recent news
posted here.

Here is my web-site - small loans no credit check

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about payday loans with no teletrack no telecheck.
Regards

Feel free to surf to my web-site :: www.gvsig-women.org

Anonymous said...

I'm really enjoying the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A handful of my blog audience have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?

Also visit my web blog: payday loans for unemploy

Anonymous said...

I don't know if it's just me or if perhaps everyone else
experiencing issues with your site. It appears as if some of the written text within your posts are running off
the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
This might be a problem with my web browser because I've had this happen before. Cheers

my blog post ... dragon city Cheat engine

Anonymous said...

bookmarked!!, I like your blog!

my site - pirater un Compte Facebook

Anonymous said...

I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found
any interesting article like yours. It's pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

Feel free to visit my weblog: Psn Code Generator

Anonymous said...

I continue listening to the news to talk
about obtaining free of charge on the web grant applications so we looked for high quality website to get one particular.


My web-site ... http://artiklar24.se/How-To-Become-Your-Own-Personal-Web-Host.htm">simply

Anonymous said...

fascinating article. Where is each of the info selective
... :)

my blog post; clickbank affiliates

Anonymous said...

Hi there, this weekend is pleasant in support of me, since this occasion i am reading
this impressive educational piece of writing here at my home.


my site ... microsoft Office gratuit

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about blue magic.

Regards

Feel free to surf to my homepage - Minecraft Gift Code Generator ::
youtube.com :
:

Anonymous said...

What's Taking place i'm new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered
It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I
hope to give a contribution & aid different customers like its aided me.
Great job.

Feel free to surf to my site - Free Psn Codes

Anonymous said...

I hardly comment, but I browsed a ton of responses on this page "Thistles -- Ted Hughes".
I do have some questions for you if you do not mind. Is it just me or do some of these
remarks appear like they are left by brain dead folks? :-P And, if you are posting at other
online sites, I'd like to follow anything fresh you have to post. Would you list of the complete urls of your public pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

My weblog Code Psn Gratuit

Anonymous said...

Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i got here to go back
the desire?.I'm attempting to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its adequate to use some of your ideas!!

my webpage - Minecraft Crack *http://Www.Youtube.com*

Anonymous said...

Right away I am going away to do my breakfast, when having
my breakfast coming over again to read further news.


Feel free to visit my blog: Psn Code Generator

unsgu said...

indeed a cool website like this must, always puts a lot of satisfaction cara besarkan penis dengan mudah and benefit its visitors.

Unknown said...

Nice information,, terrimaksih infonya..sukses much for sharing the info and the website is always to be minimalist bedroom design | how to make home | kawasaki ninja the best and do the best to the next information ..

Unknown said...

all had been design for home presented with a perfect through this price specification toyota website .. sharp and accurate information reliable .. thanks you have willingly shared with home design ideas us.

Sky Smith said...

I really required this post. You did a great job here! Thank You sharing it with us. I also want to help QB users. Check out this for resolving QuickBooks Error 3371. Get help from experienced people. Call +1-(855)-955-1942

Post a Comment