Hadedah
Adam Schwartzman
0. It is a south African poem that focuses on the theme of change or
transformation.
The poet uses the hadedah as a lens through which the south African
landscape is viewed.
The bird moves from a small space (the flower bed) to a large space
(the vast city of Johannesburg).
No one knows the origin of the hadedah, but it is a common bird in
South Africa.
The poem follows the hadedah’s journey.
1. Flower bird predator – as if the bird is vicious and will kill.
The curved beak is being compare to a pick axe, it is similar in shape
(has sharp ends) and It is used to break up clumps of soil.
Piston – suggesting that the beak is mechanical, it is working
continuously and breaking the soil.
Simile – “like a piston.”
2. The bird spreads its legs to balance itself so that it does not topple
over.
Simile – being compared to how a cowboy stands.
2-3. The bird is pulling out words.
3-4 Shows the movement of the bird and shows that it is connecting the
stanzas, and its connecting the reader to how the bird is flying around
and to where the bird is going.
Ibis – bird similar to hadedah but it has more colour.
4. We – pronoun – collectively groups South Africa.
Suggests that it becomes part of us and fits in.
5. We do not know where they came from or what they were called
when they first came.
Naming – apartheid , when people were classified.
6. This suggests that they have become part of us.
7 – 8. Omens – signs that something bad are going to happen.
Some people think they are bad luck.
In certain cultures they considers hadedahs are bad luck and some
think that they are good luck. Showing different perspectives.
9. But – change in the poem as well as the attitude of the poet.
Imagination – human quality and personification. This personification
shows his admiration for the bird.
Stanza This stanza has lots of action words. The poet is showing us the
3 movement of the verbs. In comparison to the bird, we do not have as
much freedom.
10. Bank – turn.
Lopped – curved line (the horizon) they can fly over the horizon.
11. Slice – they have swift movement and they can cut through the
clouds.
Dip – they are able to go in and out of the spaces.
12. They cut through the trees as if it is so easy.
They also refer to the fragrance of the flower. The birds take the
fragrance off the flowers as hey fly through them.
13. Anthracite – coal that we burn.
Suggests that the bird if flying over an industrial area.
Adam Schwartzman
0. It is a south African poem that focuses on the theme of change or
transformation.
The poet uses the hadedah as a lens through which the south African
landscape is viewed.
The bird moves from a small space (the flower bed) to a large space
(the vast city of Johannesburg).
No one knows the origin of the hadedah, but it is a common bird in
South Africa.
The poem follows the hadedah’s journey.
1. Flower bird predator – as if the bird is vicious and will kill.
The curved beak is being compare to a pick axe, it is similar in shape
(has sharp ends) and It is used to break up clumps of soil.
Piston – suggesting that the beak is mechanical, it is working
continuously and breaking the soil.
Simile – “like a piston.”
2. The bird spreads its legs to balance itself so that it does not topple
over.
Simile – being compared to how a cowboy stands.
2-3. The bird is pulling out words.
3-4 Shows the movement of the bird and shows that it is connecting the
stanzas, and its connecting the reader to how the bird is flying around
and to where the bird is going.
Ibis – bird similar to hadedah but it has more colour.
4. We – pronoun – collectively groups South Africa.
Suggests that it becomes part of us and fits in.
5. We do not know where they came from or what they were called
when they first came.
Naming – apartheid , when people were classified.
6. This suggests that they have become part of us.
7 – 8. Omens – signs that something bad are going to happen.
Some people think they are bad luck.
In certain cultures they considers hadedahs are bad luck and some
think that they are good luck. Showing different perspectives.
9. But – change in the poem as well as the attitude of the poet.
Imagination – human quality and personification. This personification
shows his admiration for the bird.
Stanza This stanza has lots of action words. The poet is showing us the
3 movement of the verbs. In comparison to the bird, we do not have as
much freedom.
10. Bank – turn.
Lopped – curved line (the horizon) they can fly over the horizon.
11. Slice – they have swift movement and they can cut through the
clouds.
Dip – they are able to go in and out of the spaces.
12. They cut through the trees as if it is so easy.
They also refer to the fragrance of the flower. The birds take the
fragrance off the flowers as hey fly through them.
13. Anthracite – coal that we burn.
Suggests that the bird if flying over an industrial area.
