Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "When We Go Walking", Irving Feldman uses the imagery of birds to convey the intimacy and joy found in a relationship. The poem is brief but vivid, offering a glimpse into a shared world where love creates a magical environment.

The poem begins with the simple act of walking together: "When we go walking / Birds hop under our feet." The repetition of "walking" emphasizes the act's rhythm and continuity, suggesting that this is a regular, cherished activity. The image of birds hopping under their feet conveys a sense of lightness and playfulness. These birds appear fearless, drawn to the couple as they walk together.

Feldman introduces a specific setting to ground this magical scene: "Yes, birds run under our feet / Walking on Delancey street." Delancey Street, located in New York City’s Lower East Side, adds a layer of urban reality to the imagery. Despite the hustle and bustle of the city, the couple's connection creates a harmonious world where birds freely hop and run around them.

The poem shifts from walking outside to holding each other in a room: "When we hold each other / The room is filled, the air / Is all rushes and twittering." Here, the couple’s embrace transforms the indoor space into a lively, natural environment. The air is "all rushes and twittering," suggesting an explosion of life and sound that mimics the bustling activity of birds. This imagery symbolizes the vitality and excitement that the couple's love brings to their surroundings.

In the final lines, Feldman blends reality and imagination: "And birds start from your hair." This surreal image suggests that the lover is so intimately connected to nature that birds take flight from their very being. It symbolizes the partner’s ability to bring life and joy into the world, making the lover’s presence transformative.

Structurally, "When We Go Walking" is concise, using short lines that create a rhythmic flow and enhance the sense of movement and energy. The repetition of phrases like "When we" and "birds" adds a lyrical quality, emphasizing the poem’s central theme of love’s transformative power.

Overall, "When We Go Walking" is a celebration of love and its ability to create a magical, harmonious world even in the midst of a bustling city. Feldman uses bird imagery to symbolize the joy, freedom, and vitality that love brings, inviting readers into a space where intimacy and imagination thrive together.

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