Cuckoo Song by Hilda Doolittle
The narrative revolves around a woman who undergoes a transformation after being bitten by a strange insect. She begins to experience physical changes and develops an aversion to her own body. The story explores themes of identity, self-perception, and the blurring of reality and fantasy.
By Hilda Doolittle · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Pastoral · 400 words
First lines
Ah, bird, / our love is never spent / with your clear note, / nor satiate our soul; / not song, not wail, not hurt, / but just a call summons us / with its simple top-note / and soft fall;
not to some rarer heaven / of lilies over-tall, / nor tuberose set against / some sun-lit wall, / but to a gracious / cedar-palace hall;
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm to convey its themes.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, focusing on the speaker's intimate connection with nature and the bird's song.
- Pastoral — The poem evokes a serene, natural setting, emphasizing the beauty and simplicity of nature, typical of pastoral themes.
- Mythological — References to mythological figures like Calypso suggest an engagement with classical mythology, adding depth to the poem's themes.
Tags
Fantasy · Literary Fiction · Magical Realism · Coming-of-Age · Young Adult · Psychological Thriller · Mystery · Family Drama · Social Commentary · Identity Crisis · Self-Discovery · Mother-Daughter Relationship
What this Textopian page supports
Cuckoo Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilda Doolittle, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilda Doolittle
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Pastoral, Mythological
- Length: 400 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cuckoo Song by Hilda Doolittle
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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