Sexual Reproduction

Breeding and sexual reproduction are recurring themes in "The Satyr's Heart," and the first indication that they will be central to Kelly's agenda is the fact that satyrs are mythological creatures associated with lust and animal sexuality. Satyrs were associated with the god of wine and revelry, Dionysus, and in ancient Greek and Roman mythology they were often depicted with erect penises. Kelly's imagery of flowers "breeding," birds "turning tricks," wind "fingering" twigs, furry creatures "doing whatever / Furred creatures do," and tiny creatures sewing the earth, all emphasize that her poem considers animal sexuality among its most important themes.

This kind of procreative sexuality seems to be a great virtue in the poem, since it is responsible for providing the life energy and the fabric of the "sweet sad earth." The idyllic atmosphere of the garden or orchard seems almost entirely due to this fertile procreation. There...