An August Night
by Seamus Heaney
His hands were warm and small and knowledgeable.
When I saw them again last night, they were two ferrets,
Playing all by themselves in a moonlit field.
the read said “he” then makes a transition to the past “last night” they were ferrets.
I dont know much about ferrets but its probably something ferrets do at night?
sorry if this is a dumb question.
3 Answers
I’m guessing it’s a metaphor. People don’t (normally) write poetry about ferrets.
His hands were still.
Last night they were in motion, playful like.