Poem Parrot

Parrot by Alan Brownjohn

Parrot by Alan Brownjohn is a humorous poem. The poet presents a humorous picture of a parrot's thoughts. The parrot in the poem is a caged bird and does not speak like the other parrots. Instead, he reveals his thoughts with a sulky feeling. The poet brings out the thoughts of the bird with a humorous touch. But at the same time, he is also able to reveal the cruelty of human actions that restrict the freedom of animals.

In the poem, the bird understands the humans, but the humans around him fails to understand him. This is the amusing feature of the poem but also the sad picture of the situation. The poet is able to ridicule the humans for their boastful nature. They capture a bird and cage him. They use him as a show piece to show off. They also try to train him to imitate them. But when they fail, they try to show him as a thinking bird.

‘'They're saying, ‘'He won't talk because

He is a thinking bird.''

The bird is inwardly mocking them. Through this, the poet shows how man misunderstands nature. He is also callous enough to come to the conclusion that his bird is a thinking bird.

‘ The family say, ‘'Oh yes,