Winter Swans

"Winter Swans" by Owen Sheers

Context

• Owen Sheers is a contemporary Welsh poet, novelist, and playwright. "Winter Swans," from his 2005 collection "Skirrid Hill," explores themes of relationship struggles and reconciliation. The poem reflects modern themes of emotional turbulence and the hope of healing, using nature as a metaphor for human experiences.

The Poem

The clouds had given their all –

← Pathetic Fallacy

two days of rain and then a break

in which we walked,

the waterlogged earth

← Metaphor

gulping for breath at our feet

as we skirted the lake, silent and apart,

until the swans came and stopped us

with a show of tipping in unison.

As if rolling weights down their bodies to their heads

they halved themselves in the dark water,

icebergs of white feather, paused before returning again

like boats righting in rough weather.

← Simile

'They mate for life' you said as they left,

← Symbolism

porcelain over the stilling water. I didn't reply

but as we moved on through the afternoon light,

slow-stepping in the lake's shingle and sand,

I noticed our hands, that had, somehow,

← Imagery

swum the distance between us

and folded, one over the other,

like a pair of wings settling after flight.

5 quotes + analysis to achieve a grade 9

1. Language Device = Pathetic Fallacy. "The clouds had given their all"

• Analysis: The personification of the clouds as having "given their all" sets a sombre, heavy tone that mirrors the emotional strain in the relationship. This use of pathetic fallacy creates a connection between the weather and the couple's mood, emphasising the weight of their struggles.

2. Language Device = Metaphor. "the waterlogged earth / gulping for breath at our feet"

• Analysis: The metaphor of the earth "gulping for breath" suggests suffocation and struggle, reflecting the tension and emotional exhaustion in the relationship. This imagery highlights the difficulty they are experiencing in their connection.

3. Language Device = Simile. "like boats righting in rough weather"

• Analysis: Comparing the swans to "boats righting in rough weather" symbolises the stability and balance the couple seeks in their tumultuous relationship. This simile underscores the idea of finding equilibrium after a period of turbulence.

4. Language Device = Symbolism. "'They mate for life' you said as they left, / porcelain over the stilling water"

• Analysis: The swans symbolise enduring love and commitment. The description of them as "porcelain" suggests fragility and beauty, emphasising the precious and delicate nature of a lasting relationship.

5. Language Device = Imagery. "I noticed our hands, that had, somehow, / swum the distance between us / and folded, one over the other, / like a pair of wings settling after flight"

• Analysis: The imagery of their hands "swum the distance" and "folded... like a pair of wings" conveys a sense of reconciliation and unity. This visual metaphor reflects the healing of their relationship, suggesting a peaceful resolution and a return to harmony.

Form & Structure Points to Mention for Top Grades

• Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, lacking a consistent rhyme scheme or meter.

  • Effect: This form mirrors the natural, unstructured progression of the couple's reconciliation, emphasising the organic process of healing.

• Enjambment: The use of enjambment creates a flowing, continuous rhythm throughout the poem.

  • Effect: This technique reflects the ongoing nature of their relationship and the gradual process of moving from conflict to understanding.

• Contrast: The poem contrasts the initial tension with the calm resolution, using imagery and metaphors to highlight the transformation.

  • Effect: This structural contrast underscores the theme of reconciliation and the hopeful resolution of conflict.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "Winter Swans," Owen Sheers presents reconciliation through the use of natural imagery and symbolism. The poem opens with the personification of the weather, "The clouds had given their all," reflecting the emotional strain between the couple. The metaphor of the earth "gulping for breath" further emphasises their struggle. However, the turning point occurs with the arrival of the swans, described as "like boats righting in rough weather," symbolising stability and balance. The statement "'They mate for life' you said as they left," uses the swans as a symbol of enduring love, highlighting the possibility of reconciliation. The imagery of their hands "swum the distance between us" and "folded... like a pair of wings" signifies the healing of their relationship. Through these literary devices, Sheers effectively captures the transition from conflict to understanding, emphasising the theme of reconciliation.