Notes on 'The Song Thrush and the Mountain Ash'

The Song Thrush and the Mountain Ash

  • A poem reflecting on experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The poem revolves around a conversation through a hospital window.

Lost Connections and Forgotten Names

  • The woman in the hospital has forgotten the name of her "special tree" and her "favourite bird".
  • The narrator reminds her: "the song thrush and the mountain ash."

Distance and Disconnection

  • The woman questions why the narrator stands outside in the wind and rain.
  • She doesn’t understand why the narrator avoids physical touch.
  • This physical distance symbolizes the broader social distancing measures during the pandemic.

Sensory Deprivation and Loss

  • She notes the flowers have no scent, and food has lost its taste.
  • This alludes to the loss of senses—smell and taste—experienced by some COVID-19 patients, described as losing one of 5 senses.

Pandemic's Impact on Public Life

  • Asks why the nurse has covered her face, highlighting mask-wearing protocols.
  • She wonders why "the gates of the park were shut" and "the shops were boarded up".
  • She questions why "the swings were tied in knots?", reflecting the closure of public spaces.
  • She asks, "And the music…why had the music stopped?", which indicates the cessation of cultural and social activities during the pandemic.

Isolation and Absence

  • The narrator calls her name, but "she never came", suggesting a sense of loss or death.

Pandemic Protocols and Effects

  • The poem references "strictures protocols and effects of thepandemic masks 6 ft socialdistancing".
  • Notes the importance of phone and facetime calls as substitutes for in-person interaction.
  • Highlights "different ways to connect w people" in the absence of physical touch.

Reflected Image

  • The narrator sees "reflected in the glass the song thrush and the mountain ash."
  • The reflection symbolizes both the physical separation and enduring presence of nature and memory.

Context of the Poem

  • The poem is one of two song lyrics commissioned by Huddersfield Choral Society in response to Covid-19.
  • Inspired by members of the Choir and set to music by composers Cheryl Frances-Hoad (We’ll Sing ) and Daniel Kildane (The Song Thrush and the Mountain Ash).