Cryptic Symbolism in John Talbot’s “Nightjar”

This poem may just fit the stereotype of all poems. Right from the beginning the symbolism is trying. You are left to grapple with each word fighting to try and decipher what the poet was trying to represent to the reader. This can be fun to some, frustrating to others. In the case of this poem, it does not come easily. The poem begins:

“And if I shrink to drain your flask of pitch?

Call you duskfeather, call you nightjar.

Up and churr then, up and hawk for moths.

Come morning, not crosswise as others do”

A quick search of the word Nightjar will give you lists of information on a bird called a nightjar. This may help the reader begin to surmise the meaning of the poem. Nightjars are active at evening and all through the night. They also eat moths as a main food source.

The poem ends with:
“You toast of no vintage, you draft

Of afterthought tipped pinging into the butt,

Nightjar. Shallow in the ruts you scored

By the footpath, your paired bald

Eggs will baffle in the sun the toddler

Tomorrow and the toddler’s mother.”

In this sense we can see that the nightjar can be compared to the mother of a toddler. This reminds me of my personal reflections of my own mother. Just as the Nightjar works all through the night, the mother cares for the toddler late into the night. She wakes when the toddler has a nightmare or is sick. She cleans, prepares, and feeds.

The aspect of religion is also intriguing. There is an allusion made to the verse in the Docterine and Covenants, “shrank to drink the bitter cup” and also referring to the Savor’s words in Luke 22:42. This religious undertone further exemplifies the mother’s commitment to the child and to God. The symbolism between the Nightjar bird and the mother and child brings out the dedication of the mother.

Love of God

1. Form Analyzed

I analyzed a metaphor and reference used in my section of The Book of Mormon: A Reader’s Edition.

2. Passage Analyzed

I analyzed 1 Nephi 21:14 which was within my section, 1 Nephi 16-22.

But, behold, Zion hath said: The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me—but he will show that he hath not. For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

4. Breakdown

Nephi quotes Isaiah’s words in this section with Isaiah's signature of metaphors and references.

5. Interpretation

Isaiah compares the woman and her child to God and the House of Israel. Isaiah, speaking for God says that He remembers all his children. He shows that the love of a mother is nothing compared to the love that God has for His children.  When it says “graven thee upon the palms of my hands” it is a reference to the crucifixion. As He died, he literally took upon himself our pains and sins. The word “graven” is very permanent just like the work that Christ did for us.

6. Connections/Questions

In this part of the scriptures I feel like God can get frustrated with the House of Israel for their stubbornness. How often do we need reminding that we are important to Him. In general conferences, rarely did we hear anything shocking but I think that may be changing now as we are being called to be better. The use of the metaphors and references in this passage helps us understand that God will never forget us. Eliza questioned whether the metaphors in her passage were meant to instruct future readers. Similarly, I question if the metaphors can bring us to a deeper understanding of the doctrine.