Context – Winter Swans was written by Owen Sheers and published in Skirrid Hill in 2005.

Line-by-Line Analysis
Owen Sheers – Owen Sheers (born 20th Swans – Swans are large water-dwelling STANZA LINE POEM ANALYSIS
September 1974) is a Welsh poet, playwright and birds, of which there are around 6 or 7 species Sheers sets the tone by describing the weather –
author. He was born in Suva, Fiji, but was in existence. Swans usually mate for life,
1 The clouds had given their all – the dark, downcast weather reflects the mood.
brought up in Abergavenny, Wales. His work is although ‘divorce’ can occur (especially after The language is colloquial (clouds have ‘given
notable for its energy and sensuality, and on the the failure to reproduce) and if one of the mates dies. 1 2 two days of rain and then a break their all’) suggesting that this talk is taking place
between two people who know each other well.
way that people connect with land and their country. His Although swans can be aggressive, they are often associated The weather may also be a metaphor for an
poetry also takes an interest in connections between people, with romance due to their beauty and elegance, their 3 in which we walked, argument, with the rain representative of tears.
and the borders that people create between themselves. He is enduring relationships with one another, and their status as a Pathetic fallacy is used; nature reflects emotions.
currently a professor of creativity at Swansea University. respective species. They are referred to as symbols of love. This stanza gives the impression that there are
Skirrid Hill – Skirrid – from the Welsh Ysgyrid, Winter – Physically winter is the coldest
4 the waterlogged earth congested, ‘clogged up’ emotions (‘waterlogged’,
‘gulping for breath.’) As the earth fights to be
means divorce or separation, which is crucial to month of the year in temperate and polar
understanding the nature of the relationships in zones, which is caused by the hemisphere in 2 5 gulping for breath at our feet cleansed, the lovers too struggle to converse
openly. This inability to adequately get words
the poem. Throughout this collection, there is the question pointing away from the sun. It is a out is reflected in the alliterative ‘g’ sounds in
overwhelming atmosphere of disintegration and season in which many plants and animals die, and there is 6 as we skirted the lake, silent and apart, ‘waterlogged’ and ‘gulping.’ ‘Skirting’ the lake
breakdown. Sheers suggests that relationships do not develop little vegetation actively growing. The days are often shorter implies that they are skirting their issues.
between isolated, connected moments, and suggests that in winter. As a result, in literature winter is often used in texts The arrival of the swans signals a shift in mood
relationships are an intense power struggle. associated with darkness and despair, offering a gloomy tone. 7 until the swans came and stopped us and tone. The swans ‘in unison’ seem more
together than humans, breaking the tension
3 8 with a show of tipping in unison. between the lovers. The repetition of the ‘s’
Language/Structural Devices sound (sibilance) enables the reader to hear
them gliding along the water. The swans ‘rolling
Pathetic Fallacy/ Personification – Sheers brings Similes/ Metaphors – Sheers uses a number of figurative 9 As if rolling weights down their bodies to their heads weights’ gives the impression that they are
different features of nature to life in different sections of the language devices in order to stimulate imagery and enhance removing burden, as the humans should do.
poem, helping to show the connection between nature and meanings. For example, the swans themselves can be seen as The idea of the swans ‘halving themselves’ in the
people. A prime example is in the 2nd stanza, when the representative of lasting love and devotion – they 10 they halved themselves in the dark water, ‘dark water’ shows that there is a lot beneath
‘waterlogged earth’ is personified as ‘gulping for breath.’ This demonstrate how the humans should be acting, for example the surface – the humans are masking their true
feelings. The ‘dark water’ conveys negative
idea of the earth being congested is mirrored in the lovers’ by ‘rolling weights down their bodies’ (removing burden). The
4 11 icebergs of white feather, paused before returning again emotions whilst the icebergs present the hidden
relationship. Pathetic fallacy is used in the opening section of metaphor of icebergs are also used, to show represent what is dangers felt towards discussing them
the poem, in which the dull weather is described in depth,
and its ‘intentions’ are implied, in order to set a gloomy mood
hidden, whilst the ‘dark waters’ can be seen to symbolise both
the doom and gloom of their relationship, and also the 12 like boats righting in rough weather. (metaphors). Further metaphors are used in the
idea of the white feather (surrender/cowardice)
representative of the melancholy relationship. dangers of what is hidden beneath the surface. and the boats righting (they can fix this).
Quote: “The clouds had given their all – Quote: “they halved themselves in the dark water, The use inclusion of her comment to open the
two days of rain and then a break” icebergs of white feather, paused before returning again” 13 ‘They mate for life’ you said as they left, stanza shows that either she aspires to be like
the swans, or she has doubts that they will
Sibilance – Sibilance is used in different sections of the Alliteration – Sheers also utilises alliteration throughout the achieve the same longevity. The idea of the
poem, creating vivid sound imagery. For example, in line 16, poem, both to mimic sounds, and to represent subject matter
5 14 porcelain over the stilling water. I didn’t reply ‘porcelain’ is suggestive of the delicacy, value
sibilance is used in ‘slow-stepping in the lake’s shingle and in creative ways. For example, in lines 4 and 5 there is the and beauty of the situation – all is still now,
sand.’ This helps to recreate the soft sound of the flow of the
water, as it becomes more still. The sound of their footsteps on
repetition of the awkward ‘g’ sound, which slows the pace of
the poem, mirroring the clogged earth that is being
15 but as we moved on through the afternoon light, emotions have calmed. The afternoon lights
gives an idea of mellowness – the tension in their
the ‘shingle and sand’ is also echoed through the sibilance. described, and in turn the withheld emotions of the lovers. relationship seems to easing.
Quote: “slow-stepping in the lake’s shingle and sand, Quote: “ the waterlogged earth 16 slow-stepping in the lake’s shingle and sand, The idea of the two ‘slow-stepping’ shows that
I noticed our hands, that had, somehow,” gulping for breath at our feet” the situation is still precarious, as soft sibilance is
Form – The poem is written in 6 irregular tercets, containing Narrative Structure – The opening details what has come used to resemble the calm flow of the water and
3 lines per stanza, with an additional couplet to complete the before the poem – signalling that the lovers have been 6 17 I noticed our hands, that had, somehow, the sound of them treading slowly over the
‘sand’ and ‘shingle.’ The two hold hands, with
poem. The lack of rhyme, in addition to the variance in line through a difficult time in their relationship. Stanza 2 shows
lengths, is representative of the disharmony and disjointedness how this is reflected in nature. In stanza 3, (and through 4 18 swum the distance between us the metaphor of them ‘swimming’ creating a
neat association with the preceding swans.
of their relationship. Enjambment is used throughout, at and 5) there is a shift in mood as the swans are spotted (‘in
times between stanzas, which is reflective of the manner in unison’) providing an example to the humans. In stanzas 6 The humans are beginning to mirror the natural
which the relationship persists through the difficulties. and 7, the lovers temporarily appear to have healed their rift. 19 and folded, one over the other, world, with the hands ‘folded, one over the
other’, being compared to birds, showing they
Quote: “but as we moved on through the afternoon light, Quote: “until the swans came and stopped us 7
slow-stepping in the lake’s shingle and sand,” with a show of tipping in unison.” 20 like a pair of wings settling after flight too have made a connection for life – the simile
to close the poem offers a sense of precarious
calm – the ‘flight’ (difficulty) is over, for now.

Themes – A theme is an idea or message that runs throughout a text. Poems for Comparison Influences on the Poet
Unhappiness in Relationships – At the outset of the poem, the relationship between the speaker and their Winter Swans can be contrasted with this “When I start writing a poem I find that they can start in a variety of
When We Two ways - although there are a few constants. Probably the most
lover is at a desolate point –mirrored by the bleak weather. The two ‘skirt’ the lake, ‘silent and apart’, with skirt Parted
poem in relation to the theme of
Unhappiness in Relationships common one being poems starting with a specific visual image.
suggesting that they are avoiding issues. The appearance of the swans appears to help them put aside their conflict. …Another way that poems can sometimes start is with a story,
Nature – Sheers draws deep comparisons between the natural world and the relationships of humans. The with a narrative I've been told, or even with someone I've met,
weather mirrors the mood of the lovers, the earth mimics the congestion in their hearts, and the swans offer a Winter Swans can be contrasted with this but again what is always important in that case is there's a
Neutral Tones
reminder of the connection that they have. Comparisons are made with nature at every stage of the poem. poem in relation to the theme of Nature sense that this story has a resonance that goes much further than the simple
narrative itself.” www.poetryarchive.com