# Cock-Crow explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Edward Thomas.

## What happens

The poem describes the moment of dawn when the crowing of two cocks cuts through the darkness, heralding the arrival of light and the start of the day's work, as milkers prepare at the farms.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and the Seasons

The poem centers on the natural phenomenon of dawn and the crowing of cocks.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker observes the dawn and the cocks crowing.

## Key lines

> Out of the wood of thoughts that grows by night To be cut down by the sharp axe of light

From the dense, dark thoughts of night that are dispelled by the sudden brightness of dawn.

_The imagery contrasts the darkness of night with the sharp, cutting light of morning._

> two cocks together crow, Cleaving the darkness with a silver blow

Two roosters crow in unison, splitting the darkness with a bright, metallic sound.

_The crowing is depicted as a forceful, almost physical act that breaks the night._

> The milkers lace their boots up at the farms.

Farm workers begin their day by putting on their boots to milk the cows.

_This line grounds the poem in rural life and the start of daily labor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_5_se/chapters/cock-crow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_5_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_5_se/chapters