Waxwings: Robert Francis The overall theme of Robert Francis’ Waxwings is the belief of Taoism. This idea obviously is stated in the first line of the first stanza and then subtly throughout the rest of the poem. The title of the poem can also present a hint of Taoism. Since a tremendous component of Taoism has to do with nature, calling the poem Waxwings, a type of bird, is a pure title. Francis uses the …showed first 75 words of 313 total…

…showed last 75 words of 313 total…things and the hustle and bustle of everyday life for many is forgotten. The poet, at the end of the poem, has made the decision of the Taoist life. This makes it obvious that he did believe otherwise before that of Taoism, he knows what that existence is like. Now he has enough evidence to choose which life he wants to follow, and which is better for him, which is apparent that it is Taoism.