The Fox

The thought fox is the central symbol who drives the narrative of the poem. It symbolizes creative inspiration and raw artistic inception, in contrast to the more cognitive area of scholastic study. Although the poem takes place within the speaker’s subconscious mind, the fox is presented as something external and other, rather than a part of the speaker themself. By treating inspiration as a wild animal, the poem communicates the idea that creativity can’t be captured or rushed. Instead, the speaker waits patiently while the fox approaches in its own time. Although the poem never explores the fox’s thoughts or feelings, the speaker remarks that the fox is “Is entering the loneliness” (Line 8); this suggests that the fox, and through it the concept of creativity, is a living presence that can make one feel less alone.

The Starless Sky

The speaker twice...