The Woman "In The Park"
The protagonist of this poem is a mother of three children. In Harwood's imagination, this woman has become tired of her role. She's wearing old clothes and being pulled in all directions by the busy children. When she meets an old boyfriend, she feels the strong regret of already having the responsibility of these kids which prevents her from enjoy the more carefree life of the time when she knew him.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Harwood began writing poetry after reading Wittgenstein, and he remains a tremendous influence in her ideas. She mentions him by name in "Last Meeting." As a philosopher characterized by his rather gloomy approach to life, he is Harwood's qualified source of inspiration for the interpretation of the stars and the seasons. He interprets the movements of the heavens as synonymous with the human impulse.
The Barn Owl
The barn owl, subject of the poem of the same title, is Harwood's first experience of death. Intent upon rebellion, she takes her father's gun one day, early in the morning, and shoots this bird. She only wounds the owl, however, and he limps toward her. Waking to the shot, her father makes her kill the bird to put it out of its misery. Though he did no harm nor returned malice, the barn owl had to die for Harwood's disobedience.
