Why do you think the animals are so restless in the first two stanzas? Discuss the image used in line 14: the rivers roll heavy as blood

To analyze the restlessness of animals in the first two stanzas, we can consider several factors that might contribute to this behavior. Often, animals exhibit restlessness due to environmental changes, such as shifts in weather, the presence of predators, or disturbances in their habitat. This restlessness can also symbolize a deeper emotional or instinctual response to impending danger or change. In the context of poetry, the restlessness of animals can reflect the overall mood of the poem, suggesting themes of anxiety, turmoil, or a sense of foreboding. The imagery used in the poem can enhance this feeling, creating a vivid picture of the animals' unease. Now, regarding the image in line 14: "the rivers roll heavy as blood," this metaphor evokes a powerful and visceral image. The comparison of rivers to blood suggests a sense of life force, vitality, and perhaps even violence. Blood is often associated with life, death, and the cycles of nature, and by likening rivers to blood, the poet may be emphasizing the weight and significance of the water's movement. This imagery can also imply a connection between the natural world and human emotions, suggesting that the rivers carry not just water, but also the weight of experiences, memories, and perhaps sorrow. Overall, the restlessness of animals and the heavy imagery of the rivers work together to create a rich emotional landscape, inviting readers to explore themes of nature, life, and the interconnectedness of all living things.