In early May, after cold rain, sunlight battles a cold wind. An Irish setter puppy discovers a sheltered corner by the cellar door—sunny but windless—and settles there. He crosses his front paws, rests his head sideways, and dozes in a half-sleep. The speaker notices the rich browns of the puppy’s coat: hazel nut, mahogany, rosewood, shifting and playing off one another on his paws and head. There is a quiet tenderness in the observation, as if the speaker has paused to watch a small, private moment of comfort. The mood is calm and still, full of warmth and close attention. Nothing dramatic happens, and nothing needs to; the poem simply holds a brief pause of rest, light, and color.
Dan — Summary
Early May, after cold rain the sun baffling cold wind. Irish setter pup finds a corner near the cellar door, all sun and no wind, Cuddling there he crosses forepaws and lays his skull Sideways on this pillow, dozing in a half-sleep, Browns of hazel nut, mahogany, rosewood, played off against each other on his paws and head.