Recollections

Hey, you remember?

the last time you were here,

you found some eggs, the eagle laid?

yes, they had hatched a while ago

the ones in my backyard are 2 generations past

and now those eaglets are old

to fly into the skies

it's cold

how they all look at me

with steely eyes, sharp beaks

I apologize, I digress

in my absurd mind i mistake these vultures for them

why have they come to me?

why do they sit at my chest

I can feel it tickle my rib

the other seems to bubble my blood

ah! little vultures

yes, they are not eagles, what was I thinking

and why would I think of you and our ledge

it was so long ago that you left

these sweet vultures are here with me while i rest

dusk seems to swiftly approach

as one of the vultures seem to carry me along

they are strong, how does it even manage

It's a simple question of weight ratios

then again, I must be hallucinating

it must one of those vivid dreams

who dreams of vultures and their sorts

Hey, you remember?

the last time you were here,

you found some eggs, the eagle laid?

yes, they had hatched a while ago

A Line-by-Line Analysis of "Recollections"

Line 1: "Hey, you remember?"

• This line establishes a conversational tone, as if the speaker is addressing a specific person. It also introduces a sense of nostalgia and longing.

Line 2: "the last time you were here,"

• This line continues the conversational tone and suggests that the speaker is reminiscing about a shared experience.

Line 3: "you found some eggs, the eagle laid?"

• This line introduces a specific memory of the shared experience, focusing on the discovery of eagle eggs.

Line 4: "yes, they had hatched a while ago"

• This line confirms the speaker's memory and suggests that the eagle eggs have since hatched.

Line 5: "the ones in my backyard are 2 generations past"

• This line introduces a contrast between the past and present, suggesting that time has passed and that the original eagle eggs have grown and reproduced.

Line 6: "and now those eaglets are old"

• This line further emphasizes the passage of time, suggesting that the eaglets from the original eggs are now adults.

Line 7: "to fly into the skies"

• This line evokes imagery of freedom and independence, suggesting that the eaglets have matured and are now capable of soaring.

Line 8: "it's cold"

• This line introduces a note of melancholy, suggesting that the speaker is feeling a sense of loss or longing.

Line 9: "how they all look at me"

• This line shifts the focus to the present, suggesting that the speaker is now observing something.

Line 10: "with steely eyes, sharp beaks"

• This line creates a vivid image of the creatures that the speaker is observing, suggesting that they are predatory and potentially dangerous.

Line 11: "I apologize, I digress"

• This line suggests that the speaker is becoming distracted or confused, potentially due to the emotional weight of their memories.

Line 12: "in my absurd mind i mistake these vultures for them"

• This line reveals that the speaker has misidentified the creatures they are observing, suggesting that they are struggling to process their emotions or reality.

Line 13: "why have they come to me?"

• This line reflects the speaker's confusion and curiosity about the presence of the creatures.

Line 14: "why do they sit at my chest"

• This line suggests that the creatures are behaving in a way that is both unusual and unsettling.

Line 15: "I can feel it tickle my rib"

• This line adds a physical dimension to the speaker's experience, suggesting that the creatures are touching them.

Line 16: "the other seems to bubble my blood"

• This line suggests that the creatures are having a profound effect on the speaker's physical and emotional state.

Line 17: "ah! little vultures"

• This line reveals that the speaker has finally correctly identified the creatures.

Line 18: "yes, they are not eagles, what was I thinking"

• This line reinforces the speaker's earlier confusion and suggests that they are struggling to make sense of their experiences.

Line 19: "and why would I think of you and our ledge"

• This line returns to the memory of the shared experience, suggesting that the speaker is connecting the present moment with their past.

Line 20: "it was so long ago that you left"

• This line emphasizes the passage of time and the loss of a loved one.

Line 21: "these sweet vultures are here with me while i rest"

• This line suggests that the speaker is finding solace or companionship in the presence of the vultures, despite their earlier fear.

Line 22: "dusk seems to swiftly approach"

• This line creates a sense of foreboding or melancholy, suggesting that the day is coming to an end.

Line 23: "as one of the vultures seem to carry me along"

• This line introduces a surreal or dreamlike element to the poem, suggesting that the speaker is losing consciousness or experiencing a hallucination.

Line 24: "they are strong, how does it even manage"

• This line suggests that the speaker is amazed by the creatures' strength and ability to lift them.

Line 25: "It's a simple question of weight ratios"

• This line is a reference to a Monty Python sketch, adding a touch of humor to the poem.

Line 26: "then again, I must be hallucinating"

• This line suggests that the speaker is realizing the absurdity of their situation and questioning their own perception of reality.

Line 27: "it must one of those vivid dreams"

• This line reinforces the idea that the speaker may be experiencing a dream or hallucination.

Line 28: "who dreams of vultures and their sorts"

• This line suggests that the speaker's experience is unusual or even bizarre.

Line 29: "Hey, you remember?"

• This line returns to the opening line of the poem, creating a sense of circularity and suggesting that the speaker is trapped in a cycle of thoughts and memories.

Line 30: "the last time you were here,"

• This line repeats the second line of the poem, further emphasizing the circular nature of the speaker's thoughts.

Line 31: "you found some eggs, the eagle laid?"

• This line repeats the third line of the poem, suggesting that the speaker is unable to escape the memory of their shared experience.

Line 32: "yes, they had hatched a while ago"

• This line repeats the fourth line of the poem, reinforcing the speaker's fixation on the past.

Overall, the poem is a complex and emotionally charged exploration of memory, loss, and the human experience. The speaker's journey is one of confusion, grief, and ultimately, acceptance. The use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and a conversational tone creates a powerful and evocative piece of writing.