# Fighting for Home explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

A hawk attacks a mink at a spring, but the mink's familiarity with water allows it to defend itself, ultimately drowning the hawk in a barrel.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and the Environment

The poem depicts a natural struggle between a hawk and a mink in a rural setting.

## Key lines

> A hawk while soaring on the wing, O'er a tiny sparkling spring, Beheld a sleek and beauteous mink, Was enjoying a bath and drink.

A hawk flying over a small spring saw a beautiful mink bathing and drinking.

_Sets the scene for the encounter._

> And though the hawk was bent on slaughter The mink was more at home on water, And it is strange this curious quarrel All occurred in a sunk barrel.

The hawk intended to kill the mink, but the mink was better adapted to water, and the fight took place in a sunken barrel.

_Highlights the mink's advantage and the unusual setting._

> The bird was drenched, it could not fly, And ne'er again it soared on high.

The hawk became soaked, unable to fly, and never flew again.

_Describes the hawk's defeat and demise._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/fighting-for-home
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters