The Malham Bird

The Malham Bird:
Similar to 'Postcard to my wife' this poem is written in memory of Abse's wife Joan. This poem explores the themes of memories and religion and reminiscing youth. The title alone shows a religious symbol as the 'Malham Bird' was a bird from the garden of Eden which stood out as unlike other birds and creatures it didn't take from the forbidden fruit.
The first stanza shows how they became to love each other, "the great world had been reinvented, we were new,in love" this may suggest Abse believed he was destined to love her and was put on the earth to find her. It also suggests both him and his wife came from different religions "you a gentile and i a Jew" showing they may of been from different faiths but still found love, implying it isn't impossible to find love.
The following stanza's show abse's memory of the relationship, this stanza in particular shows a sense of loss as it starts "dear wife" showing a communication like a letter making it sound more personal, the stanza then ends with a question "as if Dafydd's ghost has sent it?" showing he wants her reassurance and her to answer his question like she used to. Abse talks about lying in the "shadows naked" showing an intimacy and a connection but perhaps the idea of 'shadows' reflects how he now misses her.
In the third stanza Abse uses a metaphor for his wife's death "two chalk lines kiss and slowly disappear" showing how quickly everyday life can change and that you can be with someone then the next they are gone.
The last two stanza's show the idea of the 'Malham Bird' the fact its a "black feathered bird" may resemble death along with grief and loss. Also the bird comes from a Jewish legend that this certain bird didn't get banished from the garden of Eden and was respectable as others showed greed and therefore was able to live in paradise. However they are described as "singing pecked forbidden fruit" which may imply they are happy about their chosen choice, which may imply that that humans may think they are making the correct decision but without realising it often choose the wrong one.
However despite being the bird being alone it is still "forever winging over the vanished gardens of Paradise" showing a positive light in the choices made and that the bird is now immortal.


I feel this poem links well to Larkins, 'Talking in Bed' as both have a theme about love and intimacy but in Larkin's though they are together they are also lonely whereas Abse now struggles with loss of his wife and therefore becomes lonely.