On the Move
By Thom Gunn The blue jay scuffling in the bushes follows
Some hidden purpose, and the gust of birds
That spurts across the field, the wheeling swallows,
Has nested in the trees and undergrowth.
Seeking their instinct, or their poise, or both,
One moves with an uncertain violence
Under the dust thrown by a baffled sense
Or the dull thunder of approximate words.
On motorcycles, up the road, they come:
Small, black, as flies hanging in heat, the Boys,
Until the distance throws them forth, their hum
Bulges to thunder held by calf and thigh.
In goggles, donned impersonality,
In gleaming jackets trophied with the dust,
They strap in doubt – by hiding it, robust –
And almost hear a meaning in their noise.
Exact conclusion of their hardiness
Has no shape yet, but from known whereabouts
They ride, direction where the tyres press.
They scare a flight of birds across the field:
Much that is natural, to the will must yield.
Men manufacture both machine and soul,
And use what they imperfectly control
To dare a future from the taken routes.
It is a part solution, after all.
One is not necessarily discord
On earth; or damned because, half animal,
One lacks direct instinct, because one wakes
Afloat on movement that divides and breaks.
One joins the movement in a valueless world,
Choosing it, till, both hurler and the hurled,
One moves as well, always toward, toward.
A minute holds them, who have come to go:
The self-defined, astride the created will
They burst away; the towns they travel through
Are home for neither bird nor holiness,
For birds and saints complete their purposes.
At worst, one is in motion; and at best,
Reaching no absolute, in which to rest,
One is always nearer by not keeping still.
Glossary
Blue jay
A brightly colored bird known for its intelligence and loud calls
Scuffling
Moving with quick, confused, or noisy motions—suggests the bird is searching or
struggling in the bushes.
Hidden
purpose
An unseen or mysterious motive; implies that even nature’s actions may have
meaning beyond human understanding.
Gust of birds
A sudden, forceful movement of a group of birds; likened to a gust of
wind—emphasizing energy and unpredictability.
Spurts
Bursts or sudden rushes; refers to the way the birds fly across the field.
Wheeling
swallows
Swallows flying in circular or graceful patterns—symbolizing freedom, grace, or
instinctive motion.
Nestled in
the trees and undergrowth
Birds settling or living in trees and low vegetation—implying home, instinct,
or shelter in nature.
Poise
Balance or composure; the birds (or metaphorically people) may be seeking
harmony or steadiness.
Dust
thrown by a baffled sense
Confusion clouding perception; the metaphor suggests that the senses are
overwhelmed or misdirected.
Dull
thunder of approximate words
Refers to the inability of language to fully express meaning—words are
imprecise, and communication becomes heavy and unclear.
Up the road
Suggests the approach of the riders from a distance, emphasizing anticipation
and movement.
Small,
black, as flies hanging in heat
A simile comparing the approaching boys on motorcycles to black flies in hot
weather—conveys a sense of menace, insignificance, or irritation.
Distance
throws them forth
As the boys get closer, they emerge from the blur of distance into sharp
focus—implies sudden presence or impact.
Their hum
bulges to thunder
The soft sound of approaching engines grows louder and more intense, turning
into a thunderous roar—evoking power and tension.
Held by
calf and thigh
Describes how the riders grip the motorcycles with their legs—emphasizes
control, masculinity, and physicality.
Donned
impersonality
Wearing a look of emotional detachment—suggests a mask-like appearance,
suppressing individual personality.
Gleaming
jackets trophied with the dust
Shiny jackets covered in dust from the road—dust acts like a badge of pride or
experience.
Strap in
doubt – by hiding it, robust
Though they may feel uncertain or insecure, they hide it behind a display of
strength and confidence.
Almost
hear a meaning in their noise
Suggests a yearning for purpose or identity—trying to find meaning in the
loudness or chaos they create.
Exact conclusion of their hardiness
The final outcome or purpose of their toughness or daring behavior is not yet clear—suggests uncertainty about their future or identity.
Has no shape yet
There is no defined form or destiny—their journey or end remains unknown or unformed.
Hurler and the hurled: the dual role of controlling and being controlled by life’s momentum.
Toward, toward: Relentless forward motion. The destination is unspecified, implying that purpose lies in the act of moving itself, not necessarily in the goal.
A minute holds them, who have come to go
A brief pause before departure—those who are constantly moving or seeking don’t linger long.
Astride
Riding or being in control of a will or drive that they themselves have formed—symbolizes conscious, self-chosen movement or motivation.
Blue jay
A brightly colored bird known for its intelligence and loud calls
Scuffling
Moving with quick, confused, or noisy motions—suggests the bird is searching or
struggling in the bushes.
Hidden
purpose
An unseen or mysterious motive; implies that even nature’s actions may have
meaning beyond human understanding.
Gust of birds
A sudden, forceful movement of a group of birds; likened to a gust of
wind—emphasizing energy and unpredictability.
Spurts
Bursts or sudden rushes; refers to the way the birds fly across the field.
Wheeling
swallows
Swallows flying in circular or graceful patterns—symbolizing freedom, grace, or
instinctive motion.
Nestled in
the trees and undergrowth
Birds settling or living in trees and low vegetation—implying home, instinct,
or shelter in nature.
Poise
Balance or composure; the birds (or metaphorically people) may be seeking
harmony or steadiness.
Dust
thrown by a baffled sense
Confusion clouding perception; the metaphor suggests that the senses are
overwhelmed or misdirected.
Dull
thunder of approximate words
Refers to the inability of language to fully express meaning—words are
imprecise, and communication becomes heavy and unclear.
Up the road
Suggests the approach of the riders from a distance, emphasizing anticipation
and movement.
Small,
black, as flies hanging in heat
A simile comparing the approaching boys on motorcycles to black flies in hot
weather—conveys a sense of menace, insignificance, or irritation.
Distance
throws them forth
As the boys get closer, they emerge from the blur of distance into sharp
focus—implies sudden presence or impact.
Their hum
bulges to thunder
The soft sound of approaching engines grows louder and more intense, turning
into a thunderous roar—evoking power and tension.
Held by
calf and thigh
Describes how the riders grip the motorcycles with their legs—emphasizes
control, masculinity, and physicality.
Donned impersonality
Wearing a look of emotional detachment—suggests a mask-like appearance,
suppressing individual personality.
Gleaming
jackets trophied with the dust
Shiny jackets covered in dust from the road—dust acts like a badge of pride or
experience.
Strap in
doubt – by hiding it, robust
Though they may feel uncertain or insecure, they hide it behind a display of
strength and confidence.
Almost
hear a meaning in their noise
Suggests a yearning for purpose or identity—trying to find meaning in the
loudness or chaos they create.
The final outcome or purpose of their toughness or daring behavior is not yet clear—suggests uncertainty about their future or identity.
Has no shape yet
There is no defined form or destiny—their journey or end remains unknown or unformed.
Hurler and the hurled: the dual role of controlling and being controlled by life’s momentum.
Toward, toward: Relentless forward motion. The destination is unspecified, implying that purpose lies in the act of moving itself, not necessarily in the goal.
A minute holds them, who have come to go
A brief pause before departure—those who are constantly moving or seeking don’t linger long.
Astride
Riding or being in control of a will or drive that they themselves have formed—symbolizes conscious, self-chosen movement or motivation.
The blue jay scuffling in the bushes follows
This stanza explores the contrast between the natural world’s instinctive motion and the human struggle for meaning and clarity. The blue jay scuffling in the bushes and the swallows wheeling through the air seem to follow some hidden yet purposeful instinct. Their movements, though rapid and unpredictable, are guided by a natural order—they nest in trees and undergrowth, grounded in their environment. This represents a kind of harmony and balance inherent in the animal world. In contrast, the human figure in the stanza moves with “an uncertain violence,” suggesting emotional turmoil and a lack of direction. Unlike the birds, people often lack clear instinct or poise, and instead, they struggle to navigate a world filled with confusion. This confusion is symbolized by the “dust thrown by a baffled sense,” indicating clouded perception, and by the “dull thunder of approximate words,” which reveals the inadequacy of language to fully express complex inner experiences. The stanza highlights themes such as the divide between instinct and reason, the insufficiency of language, and human alienation from the natural flow of life. Ultimately, it portrays the human condition as one of restless searching, in contrast to the seamless, instinctive existence of animals.
Stanza 2:
On motorcycles, up the road, they come:
And almost hear a meaning in their noise.
This stanza vividly
captures the arrival of a group of young men on motorcycles, symbolizing a
restless, rebellious spirit. They are first seen from a distance, appearing
small and black “as flies hanging in heat”—a simile that suggests their
insignificance, anonymity, and perhaps a slight menace. As they come closer,
the soft hum of their engines swells into a thunderous roar, emphasizing their
powerful presence and the physical control they assert, “held by calf and
thigh.” Their goggles and dust-covered jackets create a uniform appearance,
projecting a hardened, impersonal identity. The phrase “donned impersonality”
suggests that they have adopted a deliberate detachment, a way to mask
vulnerability. Their dust-covered jackets become trophies of experience, signs
of their journey and struggle. The line “they strap in doubt – by hiding it,
robust –” reveals that beneath their tough exterior lies uncertainty or
insecurity, which they conceal through their aggressive posturing. Finally, the
stanza ends on a poignant note: “they almost hear a meaning in their noise,”
implying a desperate search for purpose or identity through the very chaos and
sound they create. The stanza explores themes of youth, masculinity,
performance, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.
Stanza 3:
This stanza reflects on the
uncertain yet determined journey of individuals who move forward despite not
knowing exactly where they are headed. Their "hardiness", or
resilience, lacks a clear "conclusion"—there is no fixed outcome or
final destination in sight. Yet, from "known whereabouts", they continue
riding, guided only by the direction their "tyres press", suggesting instinctive or
habitual movement rather than deliberate planning. Their passage startles a flight of birds,
symbolizing the disruption of natural peace by human activity. The line "Much that is natural, to the will
must yield" points to the dominance of human will over
nature, highlighting how human ambition often overrides organic, instinctive
patterns. The stanza deepens this idea by stating that "Men manufacture both machine and
soul", suggesting that not only technology but even human
identity is constructed. Yet, both are imperfectly controlled, indicating the limits of
human mastery. In spite of this, people still "dare a future",
courageously attempting to shape what lies ahead by following paths already
begun—"taken routes".
The stanza underscores themes of uncertainty, human agency, and the complex
relationship between progress, control, and the natural world.
Stanza 4:
It is a part solution, after all.One is not necessarily discordOn earth; or damned because, half animal,One lacks direct instinct, because one wakesAfloat on movement that divides and breaks.One joins the movement in a valueless world,Choosing it, till, both hurler and the hurled,One moves as well, always toward, toward.
The stanza acknowledges
the existential uncertainty and fragmented experience of being human but offers
a kind of resolution or coping strategy. It suggests that accepting life’s “movement that divides and breaks” is
itself “a part solution.” Despite
lacking the clarity of pure instinct—being “half
animal”—humans are not necessarily doomed or in conflict (“discord”) with the world. Instead, one
can find peace in embracing this complexity. Rather than resisting the chaos of
existence or the lack of inherent meaning (“a
valueless world”), one can choose
to join the flow of life. In doing so, even as one is both the “hurler and the hurled”—both the one
acting and being acted upon—there is movement forward. The solution lies in acceptance and engagement: to live is to move, to participate actively
in the journey without expecting final answers. The repetition of “toward, toward” emphasizes that
progress or meaning may not lie in a destination, but in the act of ongoing
movement itself. Thus, the poem offers a way of living authentically in a
fragmented world—by choosing motion, embracing ambiguity, and finding meaning
in the striving.
One is always nearer by not keeping still.
This stanza reflects on the transient nature of
those who are perpetually on the move, defining themselves through their own
choices rather than fixed circumstances. "A minute holds them, who have
come to go" implies that their presence is brief—a fleeting moment before
they move on. These individuals, described as “the self-defined,” consciously
harness a force—a created will—that propels them forward. They burst away into
the world, leaving behind towns that offer no lasting refuge or identity, being
unsuitable even for birds or saints who fulfill their complete, specific
purposes. In contrast, the wanderers remain in a constant state of motion; even
if their journey seems aimless at times (“at worst, one is in motion”), this
very movement enables them to edge closer to a potential, elusive destination.
Although they never reach an absolute state of rest or finality, their
persistent pursuit ensures that they are always nearer to some form of
fulfillment simply by refusing to stagnate.
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