‘A Bird That Was Most Used Up by Riyas Qurana is a four stanza poem about creativity. Qurana believes his creative ability to be far superior to other artists and illustrates himself and his creativity as an infinite source of greatness in his poetic writing. The entire poem is soaking in the narrator’s prideful air as he discusses his creativity under the disguise of a bird. You can read the full poem here.
A Bird That Was Most Used Analysis
First Stanza
It is a bird that was most used up
Yet, it is still not damaged and in good condition
(…)
Used and used again and again
You see, not a single strand of feather lost.
The first stanza of this poem opens up by introducing the main subject: the bird. This stanza describes the condition of this bird whilst giving the reader an idea of what the bird is a metaphor for. The very first line tells the reader that the bird is something that is used often; giving the reader a reason to believe it represents something that is common and perhaps found in everyday life.
Lines two and three are quick to inform the reader that despite the constant use of this bird it is still in very good condition has been in good condition for many years now. The second clue that is given here is that this bird is seemingly infinite; although it is used continuously, it does not become weary. This translates to the fact that this bird represents a nontangible item; if it was an object or tool it would definitely have some wear and tear over the course of the years that it has been in use.
Lines four through six underline the idea that it is used often and still has not lost even a feather, allowing the readers to comprehend the infinite use this bird has. Although it is difficult for a reader to say from the first stanza alone, the rest of the poem helps to suggest that the bird in this poem represents creativity. In the first stanza alone, the idea of the bird being a metaphor for creativity makes sense. The bird or creativity is constantly used by individuals but here especially the narrator as he relays his words through a creative means: a poem. It looks as if the narrator is speaking about his own creativity and creative writing when he claims that he uses it a lot and it has remained in good condition (meaning he hasn’t run out of ideas). Line four reinforces this idea as it highlights that the narrator continues to draw out his creativity without depleting it, almost as if to show off his ability to maintain it. The first stanza is tainted with arrogant airs as the narrator professes the value of his bird or creativity.
Second Stanza
It is the bird to show you
changing its color, each moment
as you wink your eyes
(…)
she pecked and pecked all the words
of a song and ate up,
The song I wrote
The second stanza here describes the narrator’s bird in further detail, allowing the reader to understand the nature of it. Lines seven to nine open the second stanza with the idea that that the bird changes colours as frequently as a person blinks their eyes. Here the message being relayed is that of creativity as an abstract existence that continues to change shape or form depending on what it is needed for. That is the beauty of imagination, originality, and creativity, it continues to grow and change based on the lengths that an individual is willing to work with it. Line ten proclaims that it starts working at daybreak, which is true as creativity or creative writing works from the moment the artist wakes and sometimes even when he is asleep (maintaining its existence through his dreams). The word “rushed” also explains the nature of the narrator’s personal creativity, it gives readers the impression that he starts his days with a rush of ideas for his writings, and the ideas and the work is endless and in a hurry to be drawn out.
Lines eleven and twelve illustrate the notion that in order for any artwork to be entirely complete the creative juices need to start their work at daybreak just like the bird that Qurana speaks of. This is an interesting idea and really allows for the readers to get a better idea of the narrator’s work ethics and his beliefs of creativity being a driving force and not just a simple tool for an artist (of visual and written art). It is obvious here that the narrator believes that his creativity is responsible for his work whilst he himself becomes the tool, this becomes apparent as he describes the bird rushing out at daybreak and the bird doing the mending of the art pieces.
Lines thirteen and fourteen expresses that by the end of the day the bird devours the colours of the artwork, this implies that the narrator’s creativity completely takes over his art as his day comes to an end.
Lines fifteen to eighteen conclude the stanza by revealing to the readers that the narrator is a lyrical or song artist too (aside from his poetic art) and that his creativity completely consumed the song, implying that he thinks very highly of it. Again, an arrogant or prideful tone is noticed as he professes his talents and creativity.
Third Stanza
The greatness of a language
(…)
And without any damage made
The fourth stanza is initiated by acknowledging the greatness of language and art. As the reader has already been introduced to the pride the narrator openly and freely displays whilst he conveys his strong ideas about his work of art, it is not surprising that he proclaims the greatness of writing and art. By line twenty-one, the reader is very familiar with the bird being a clear embodiment of his creative art. This line specifically is driving the message that the narrator believes that his personal creativity is “most used by” the “greatness” of his language and what that language is able to paint: poems. It is clear that the narrator not only thinks very highly of his poems but also is very confident in publicly claiming that his poems are drenched in his creativity.
The last two lines of this stanza not only conclude his thoughts but also re-emphasize the congratulatory airs that he gives himself on his self proclaimed prominence in the field of poetic art. Line twenty-two emphasizes his pride in keeping his creative juices consistent and in “good condition”, while the following line underlines that there is zero “damage” done to his creativity as he continues to use it so powerfully in his poems. This entire stanza is used by the narrator to simply boast about his creative abilities and essentially that he has never faced writer’s block and he doesn’t see it in his future either. By continuously bringing up his talents (that he continues to claim he possesses) in his poem the narrator is obviously putting in all of his efforts to convince his readers that he is a superior writer, quite possibly to validate himself and his poetry.
Fourth Stanza
Probably, you would have guessed
Which this bird is.
(…)
To develop and float
In this bird and to take rest.
The final stanza of this poem continues to display a prideful tone except it becomes very arrogant and rude towards the readers at this point. In the first two lines, the narrator speaks in an almost taunting voice suggesting that the reader should have guessed what the bird symbolized in his poem by now.
Lines twenty-five and twenty-six continue the taunt by stating that the time has run out for the reader to put together an answer, this is because the poem has come to an end. The narrator is quick to assume that readers will not pick up the symbolic significance of his bird, almost as though he wants them not o understand so he can gloat in his superiority. Line twenty-eight is the most aggressive line in the entire poem and also is evidence of the narrator’s arrogance and want of being superior over others especially his readers. He finally concludes his poem by declaring that he has to put his pen down so that his creativity can rest. It becomes evident at this point that the narrator has painted a self-image of greatness and magnitude, so much so that he even includes belittling tones through his art for his audience. He becomes an attention-seeking, power-hungry, self-promoting individual who cannot relate to his readers as he uses the poem to bring up a wall between himself and the rest of the world.
