Twice Shy - One of the few poems in his collection where

the title does not give direct context to the text, similar to midterm-break
Allusion: In the title, Heaney alludes to a well known saying, "Once bitten, twice shy", which illuminates
the essential message of the poem; the lovers have previously been hurt, which is why both are more
cautious and wary this time around.

Her scarf a la Bardot, A - talks about how beautiful she is

In suede flats for the walk, B
She came with me one evening C
For air and friendly talk. B internal rhyme
We crossed the quiet river, D
Took the embankment walk. B the repetition could mean the embankment walk that he took as a poet and
the path and journey which led him to becoming a poet, ie could be an analogy for his personal life and
the walk he chose to go on

Traffic holding its breath, E - shows how strong their love is

Sky a tense diaphragm: F
Dusk hung like a backcloth G
That shook where a swan swam, F internal rhyme
Tremulous as a hawk H
Hanging deadly, calm. F

A vacuum of need I
Collapsed each hunting heart J
But tremulously we held K
As hawk and prey apart, J internal rhyme
Preserved classic decorum, L
Deployed our talk with art. J
Heaney attaches a deeper meaning to the characters' relationship by repeatedly referring to them as
"hawk and prey" This seems like an unlikely comparison to make to lovers, but like the title, it reinforces
the mood of wariness and caution; neither is sure if the other is the hawk, and whether they are meant to
be the prey.

Our Juvenilia M - refers to an author's early works, given Heaney's own experience as a published author,
and I wonder if, given his lengthy career, he had experienced any regret over his earliest works because
they might reflect views he has since outgrown.
Had taught us both to wait, N
Not to publish feeling O
And regret it all too late - N internal rhyme
Mushroom loves already P
Had puffed and burst in hate. N
Rather than being bitter for their experiences, the characters seem more wise and display a hesitant yet
hopeful outlook.

So, chary and excited, Q

As a thrush linked on a hawk, R
We thrilled to the March twilight S
With nervous childish talk: R internal rhyme
Still waters running deep T
Along the embankment walk. R - beautiful scenery, significant places to him
Each stanza of this poem follows a similar rhyme scheme, in which the second, fourth, and final lines
rhyme.This gives the poem a distinct rhythm. Musical atmosphere, more whimsical, can make it romantic

Full stop at the end of each stanza? Why- finality in a scene, transition, takes a pause- nervousness, shift
in every stanza to mark the end of every event , character progression, setting
Death? Overcoming fear,
Bird imagery, swans
Animal imagery why? inevitable=human instinct=nature

Guiding Questions
1. Explore the importance of the repeated setting of the “embankment walk” in the poet’s work.
2. Discuss the use and importance of characterization in this poem.