THE WINDHOVER BY GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS

Composed on 30 May 1887, Hopkins called The Windhover “the best thing I ever wrote” and, since its publication it has been celebrated for its daring, innovative language and stunningly accurate evocation of a kestrel in mid-flight. The intensity of the poem’s rhythm and experimental use of form still has the ability to startle us with its freshness and anticipates the work of modernist poets on whom Hopkins was a major influence. The powerful ‘sprung rhythm’ meter makes it a challenging but very satisfying poem to read aloud.