Humming-Bird (Birds)
"The Hummingbird" by D.H. Lawrence is a short story that explores the themes of love, beauty, and the human condition. The narrator, a man who has been living in isolation for several years, is visited by a young woman named Maria, who he falls in love with. However, their love is complicated by the fact that Maria is already married, and the narrator must confront his own feelings of jealousy and possessiveness. Throughout the story, Lawrence uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the beauty and fragility of life, as well as the destructive nature of obsession and desire.
By D.H. Lawrence · First published 1926 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Literary Fiction · 179 words
First lines
I can imagine, in some otherworld Primeval-dumb, far back In that most awful stillness, that only gasped and hummed, Humming-birds raced down the avenues.
Before anything had a soul, While life was a heave of Matter, half inanimate, This little bit chipped off in brilliance And went whizzing through the slow, vast, succulent stems.
I believe there were no flowers, then In the world where the humming-bird flashed ahead of creation. I believe he pierced the slow vegetable veins with his long beak.
Probably he was big As mosses, and little lizards, they say were once big. Probably he was a jabbing, terrifying monster.
What this Textopian page supports
Humming-Bird (Birds) is listed on Textopian as a poem by D.H. Lawrence, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: D.H. Lawrence
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Literary Fiction, Exploratory Prose
- Length: 179 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Humming-Bird (Birds) by D.H. Lawrence
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Humming-Bird (Birds)?
- How does this poem by D.H. Lawrence fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Hibiscus And Salvia Flowers Flowers by D. H. Lawrence
- Almond Blossom Flowers by D. H. Lawrence
- Trees And Other Poems by Joyce Kilmer
- Bare Almond Trees Trees by D. H. Lawrence
- Lark And Nightingale by Frederic Manning
- The Blue Jay Birds by D. H. Lawrence
Genres
- Poetry — D.H. Lawrence is known for his lyrical style and exploration of human nature which defines the genre of Poetry
- Nature Writing — The title 'HUMMING-BIRD (BIRDS)' suggests that the book involves detailed depictions and reflections on nature, which is characteristic of Nature Writing
- Literary Fiction — D.H. Lawrence's carefully crafted prose and thematic focus often falls under the category of Literary Fiction
- Exploratory Prose — Lawrence's writing often delves into the intricacies of consciousness and the natural world, which aligns with the genre of Exploratory Prose
Tags
nature · birds · hummingbird · poetry · symbolism · beauty · freedom · life · transience · color · flight · metaphor