Night Herons – Judith Wright

The poem 'Night Herons' is a subtle expression of the loss of the primitive life
which once was part of Australia. Judith Wright brilliantly articulates the mixed
feelings of excitement and pain caused by the unexpected appearence of the
night herons. The night herons metaphorically represent the primitive
australianness. The poem brilliantly encapsulates a brief moment of the
appearence of the night herons. Despite the brevity of their stay, the birds
trigger powerful nostalgia in the people.
The time referred to is a day after the rain which has brought in a sense of
tranquility. The street mentioned has a bearing of the after-effects of rain. It is
illuminated with the gleam of yellow light. The birds suddenly appear and
march magestically down the road. The beauty of the description surfaces
when the poet personifies the windows being flowered with the eyes of the
excited children looking at the birds.
The news of the birds reaches people at the speed of light. Despite the
assemblage of the curious people, the atmosphere is quiet. The people are
insistent on quietness and 'everyone says “hush”'. When the herons are
marching ahead, the expression of the people grows wilder than the birds.
The birds open up a repertoire of mixed feelings in the women. They go back
to their youth life. This feeling of nostalgia subtly refers the past of the nation.
Conclusively, the herons go away and the poem ends witha note of lights
fading away.