As the titular poem in Lorna Dee Cervantes’ debut full-length collection, Emplumada (1981), “Emplumada” serves as a kind of allegory for major themes within the book. The title of the poem provides the first instance of multiple meaning: Emplumada means “feathered,” as well as “pen flourish.” From the very beginning, the poet opens the door to multiple and concurrent interpretations. Birds are feathered, and many birds can fly. Plumage also suggests adornment—a beautification. “Pen flourish” may derive from when the most common writing implement was a feather. A flourish of the pen indicates a bit of fancy or influential writing. Writing—as well as birds, flowers, and human beings—can be both beautiful and strong of purpose.

“Emplumada” consists of 18 lines in three stanzas, two stanzas of seven lines and a final stanza of four lines. The lines are of varying length and are unrhymed. The first stanza placed the reader in time. It is the end of summer and the flowers, particularly the formally showy snapdragons, are dying. Leaves wither, “taking their shrill-colored mouths with them” (Line 3). When in bloom and saturated in rich color, the flowers “were still, so quiet” (Line 4). Dying, their color is loud and piercing—“shrill” (Line 3)—to the woman who observes them in their decline.