"Ploughing on Sunday" by Wallace Stevens is a poem that explores themes of nature, work, and the interplay between the mundane and the sublime. The poem juxtaposes the imagery of farm life, such as the tails of cocks and turkeys, with the act of ploughing, which is traditionally a weekday activity, being performed on a Sunday. This act of ploughing on a day of rest suggests a defiance of convention and an embrace of the natural world's rhythms. The poem's vivid imagery, such as the glittering turkey-cock's tail and the streaming white cock's tail, highlights the beauty and dynamism of nature. The repeated invocation to "Remus, blow your horn!" adds a musical and mythic dimension, suggesting a call to action or celebration. The poem's structure and rhythm, with its use of repetition and sound patterns, contribute to its lyrical quality, creating a sense of movement and vitality. Overall, Stevens' work reflects on the relationship between human activity and the natural world, emphasizing the continuity and energy inherent in both.
By Wallace Stevens · First published 1923 · Genre: Modernist Poetry, Imagist Poetry, Free Verse