THE FALCON

 

 

THE FALCON

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

I know a falcon swift and peerless
As e'er was cradled in the pine;
No bird had ever eye so fearless,
Or wing so strong as this of mine.

The winds not better love to pilot
A cloud with molten gold o'errun,
Than him, a little burning islet,
A star above the coming sun.

For with a lark's heart he doth tower,
By a glorious upward instinct drawn;
No bee nestles deeper in the flower
[430]Than he in the bursting rose of dawn.

No harmless dove, no bird that singeth,
Shudders to see him overhead;
The rush of his fierce swooping bringeth
To innocent hearts no thrill of dread.

Let fraud and wrong and baseness shiver,
For still between them and the sky
The falcon Truth hangs poised forever
And marks them with his vengeful eye.

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The Falcon Flies High: A Look at James Russell Lowell's Soaring Poem

Hey there, sixth graders! Today, we're taking a trip on wings of words with the poem "The Falcon" by James Russell Lowell. It's not just about a cool bird, though – it's packed with hidden meanings and cool ways of using language. So, buckle up and get ready to take flight!

Imagine you have a pet falcon named, well, Falcon! This poem tells you all about how awesome it is. First, Lowell describes Falcon as super speedy and brave, like the fastest, fiercest bird ever. He compares him to a burning island in the sky, even a shooting star! Cool, right?

But Falcon isn't just a show-off. He soars with the heart of a happy lark, always reaching for the sun. He snuggles into the morning light like a bee in a flower – that's how comfortable he is up there. And guess what? Even gentle birds like doves aren't scared of him. Why? Because Falcon only swoops down on bad guys, like liars, cheaters, and bullies.

Think of it like this: bad things are hiding in the shadows, but Falcon, the truth-bird, is always watching from above. He sees everything, and his sharp eyes scare the bad stuff away. That's why Lowell says Falcon hangs between the ground and the sky, forever a protector of what's right.

Now, here's the cool part: Lowell uses special words and tricks to make Falcon extra special. He calls him "peerless," which means there's no other bird like him. He uses fancy comparisons like "molten gold" and "burning islet" to paint a picture of Falcon's fiery feathers and fearless spirit. And he even sneaks in a rhyme here and there, just to make the poem sing like a happy bird.

So, next time you see a bird soaring high, remember Falcon. He's a reminder that even the smallest creature can be brave and true, always reaching for the light and standing up for what's right. And who knows, maybe you'll even feel a little Falcon spirit take flight inside you too!

Remember, sixth graders:

• This poem is about more than just a bird. It's about truth, bravery, and standing up for what's right.
• Lowell uses cool words and comparisons to make the poem come alive.
• Look for rhymes and other sound tricks that make the poem sing.
• And most importantly, remember that you can be like Falcon too – brave, true, and always reaching for the sun!