Eagle In New Mexico

TOWARDS the sun, towards the south-west
A scorched breast.
A scorched breast, breasting the sun like an answer,
Like a retort.

An eagle at the top of a low cedar-bush
On the sage-ash desert
Reflecting the scorch of the sun from his breast;
Eagle, with the sickle dripping darkly above.

Erect, scorched-pallid out of the hair of the cedar,
Erect, with the god-thrust entering him from below,
Eagle gloved in feathers
In scorched white feathers
In burnt dark feathers
In feathers still fire-rusted;
Sickle-overswept, sickle dripping over and above.

Sun-breaster,
Staring two ways at once, to right and left;
Masked-one
Dark-visaged
Sickle-masked
With iron between your two eyes;
You feather-gloved
To the feet;
Foot-fierce;
Erect one;
The god-thrust entering you steadily from below.

You never look at the sun with your two eyes.
Only the inner eye of your scorched broad breast
Looks straight at the sun.

You are dark
Except scorch-pale-breasted;
And dark cleaves down and weapon-hard downward curving
At your scorched breast,
Like a sword of Damocles,
Beaked eagle.

You’ve dipped it in blood so many times
That dark face-weapon, to temper it well,
Blood-thirsty bird.

Why do you front the sun so obstinately,
American eagle?
As if you owed him an old old grudge, great sun: or an old,
old allegiance.

When you pick the red smoky heart from a rabbit or a light-
blooded bird
Do you lift it to the sun, as the Aztec priests used to lift
red hearts of men?

Does the sun need steam of blood do you think
In America, still,
Old eagle?

Does the sun in New Mexico sail like a fiery bird of prey in
the sky
Hovering?

Does he shriek for blood?
Does he fan great wings above the prairie, like a hovering,
blood-thirsty bird?

And are you his priest, big eagle
Whom the Indians aspire to?
Is there a bond of bloodshed between you?

Is your continent cold from the ice-age still, that the sun is
so angry?
Is the blood of your continent somewhat reptilian still,
That the sun should be greedy for it?

I don’t yield to you, big, jowl-faced eagle.
Nor you nor your blood-thirsty sun
That sucks up blood
Leaving a nervous people.

Fly off, big bird with a big black back,
Fly slowly away, with a rust of fire in your tail,
Dark as you are on your dark side, eagle of heaven.

Even the sun in heaven can be curbed and chastened at last
By the life in the hearts of men.
And you, great bird, sun-starer, heavy black beak
Can be put out of office as sacrifice bringer.
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Analysis: This presents a powerful and symbolic exploration of the relationship between humanity, nature, and the sun. Through vivid imagery and metaphorical language, Lawrence delves into themes of power, violence, and the search for meaning in a world marked by conflict and struggle.

The poem opens with a striking image of an eagle perched atop a low cedar bush in the desert. The eagle, with its scorched breast and sickle-like beak, becomes a symbol of resilience and fierceness in the face of adversity. The sun, a symbol of authority and power, becomes the eagle’s adversary, as the eagle seems to confront the sun with defiance.

Lawrence’s use of language is rich and evocative, employing metaphors and similes to create a vivid picture of the eagle and its surroundings. The eagle is described as “scorch-pallid” and “fire-rusted,” suggesting the harshness and unforgiving nature of its environment. The sun is personified as a “god-thrust,” a force that penetrates and dominates the eagle.

The poem also explores the relationship between humanity and nature, particularly the eagle’s connection to the Native American tribes of the region. Lawrence suggests that the eagle is a sacred figure for the Native Americans, a symbol of strength and courage. He questions whether the eagle’s fierce gaze towards the sun is a sign of allegiance or a grudge, hinting at a complex and ambivalent relationship between the two.

However, Lawrence also criticizes the eagle’s association with violence and bloodshed. He accuses the eagle of dipping its beak in blood, suggesting that it has become a symbol of conquest and oppression. He challenges the eagle’s authority, questioning whether it truly represents the spirit of the American continent.

The poem ends with a note of defiance and hope. Lawrence asserts that humanity can overcome the oppressive forces of nature and the sun, symbolized by the eagle. He suggests that the “life in the hearts of men” can curb and chasten the sun’s power, and that even the eagle can be removed from its position as a symbol of sacrifice.

Overall, “Eagle In New Mexico” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between humanity, nature, and the forces that shape our world. Lawrence’s vivid imagery and metaphorical language create a lasting impression, inviting readers to contemplate the themes of power, violence, and the search for meaning in a world filled with conflict and struggle.