1. Describe a time when you saw something so beautiful in nature that it completely took your breath away.
2. Do you think love of nature can be spiritual, even a religion of sorts?
3. Do you think a real poet is someone who has to work at their poetry, or should a poem just come to a real poet naturally, without any real effort on their part?
COMPREHENDING AND RESPONDING
1. Identify the rhyming scheme of this poem and explain what you think it adds to the overall impact upon the reader.
2. sonnet? Support your answer with reference to the poem.
3. According to the speaker, what is ‘The will of God’? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.
4. Explain the following lines in your own words: ‘And a bird gathering materials for the nest for the Word,/ Eloquently new and abandoned to its delirious beat.’
5. What does the speaker ask of the ‘unworn world’? Refer to lines 9–12 in your answer.
6. Do you like the rhyming couplet that closes this sonnet? Give reasons for your answer.
7. ‘This poem offers a different, more mature and contented perspective in comparison to Kavanagh’s earlier poems.’ Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your answer with reference to at least three poems on the course, including this one.
8. your answer.
CREATING
1. Imagine you are part of the couple that Kavanagh mentions in this poem. Fifty years later you write a memoir. Write out the paragraphs from your memoir about your recollection of that day.
2. Write a debate speech proposing or opposing the following motion: ‘The number one priority for the world today should be protecting our planet.’
3. short story that you think would be inspirational for others to read.