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Something told the wild geese. It was time to fly, Summer sun was on their wings, Winter in their cry. This poem is in the public domain. Rachel Field (1894 - 1942) was a novelist, children’s book author, playwright, and poet.
by Rachel Field. Something told the wild geese. It was time to go. Though the fields lay golden. Something whispered,—‘Snow.’. Leaves were green and stirring, Berries, luster-glossed, But beneath warm feathers. Something cautioned,—‘Frost.’.
Something told the wild geese. It was time to go; Though the fields lay golden. Something whispered, — "snow". Leaves were green and stirring, Berries, luster-glossed, But beneath warm feathers. Something cautioned, — "frost". All the sagging orchards.
- Summary
- Theme
- Structure and Form
- Literary Devices
- Detailed Analysis
- Similar Poetry
‘Something Told the Wild Geese’ by Rachel Field depicts wild geese sensing the signs of winter’s return and reacting. The poem depicts the wild geese hearing something in the natural world that reminded them of winter. They were told to “go” from the golden fields, despite summer being in full swing. They sensed (through their natural instincts) th...
The main theme of this poem is nature and preparedness. While the poem certainly reminds readers that it’s important to be prepared, even when life seems easy and joyful, it also suggests that one can dwell too much on the past. The “beasts” are haunted by memories of winter. They hear and sense signs of winter and flee from what seems like a perfe...
‘Something Told the Wild Geese’ by Rachel Field is a four-stanza poem that is divided into sets of four lines, known as quatrains. These quatrains follow a rhyme scheme of ABCB, and change end sounds from stanza to stanza. Poetry lovers may be familiar with this as the standard rhyme scheme of ballads. The poet also chose to use loosely structured ...
Throughout this poem, the poet makes use of several literary devices. These include but are not limited to: 1. Repetition: seen through the poet’s use of the same literary device more than once. For example, the use of the word “Something” twice in stanza one. 2. Personification: occurs when the poet imbues something nonhuman with human characteris...
Stanza One
In the first lines of the poem, the poet begins by describing how “something” (as of yet unknown) told the “wild geese” that it was “time to go.” They knew, through their connection to nature, that it was time to leave the golden fields. Snow is coming, nature whispered to them. The poet uses a basic ABCB rhyme scheme in this stanza and the other three stanzas. She rhymes “go” and “Snow” here while “geese” and “golden” do not rhyme. The poet also uses examples of enjambment between lines one...
Stanza Two
They heard words of caution, despite the seemingly pleasant weather, and heeded them. They remember what winter was like and, fearing it, decide to go preemptively. The poet emphasizes the “green” and luster-tinted environment. Examples of alliteration in these lines help further the overall rhythm of the poem. For example, “Berries” and “But beneath.” The “f” sound in “feathers” and “Frost” is also effective.
Stanzas Three and Four
The second part of the poem emphasizes the orchard that is filled to the brim with apples, or “amber spice,” as the poet writes. Despite the beauty and peace of the season, “each wild breast stiffened / At remembered ice.” There is a certain trauma associated with winter that all the wild creatures have trouble shaking. They might be in the middle of summer, but “Winter” is in their “cry.” They’re dreading the worst part of the year and reacting preemptively to it.
Readers who enjoyed this poem should also consider reading some related poems. For example: 1. ‘Wild Geese’ by Mary Oliver– expresses what one must do to lead a good life. 2. ‘Spring Morning’ by A.A. Milne– creates an uncertain and nostalgic tone by asking the same question several times. The young speak can’t stop asking, “Where am I going?” 3. ‘T...
- Female
- October 9, 1995
- Poetry Analyst And Editor
Field’s poem “Something Told the Wild Geese” focuses on the winged creatures, i.e., wild geese. In this poem, the speaker describes how it is their time to leave the colder areas and fly away to the warmer places as winter is knocking at the door.
SOMETHING TOLD THE WILD GEESE. By Rachel Field. Something told the wild geese. It was time to go, Though the fields lay golden. Something whispered, "snow." Leaves were green and stirring, Berries, luster-glossed, But beneath warm feathers. Something cautioned, "frost." All the sagging orchards. Steamed with amber spice,
Something told the wild geese. It was time to go, Though the fields lay golden. Something whispered, "snow." Leaves were green and stirring, Berries, luster-glossed, But beneath warm feathers. Something cautioned, "frost." All the sagging orchards.
