The poem explores the poet's appreciation for powerful words like "fierce", "fire", and "wild". In three stanzas, the poet considers different aspects of each word: how "fierce" relates to nakedness and solitude, how "fire" ignites poetry, and how "wild" expresses anger and joy. Through examining these evocative words, the poet conveys their ability to capture raw, untamed emotions and aspects of the human experience.

1. FIERCE By Ian McCallum

2. I like the word, fierce – the way it aligns itself with nakedness and solitude: a fierce nakedness ... a fierce solitude ... And I like the way it holds the word, fire. I like the word, fire – the way it ignites the cutting edge of poetry refusing to be nothing less than a fiery edge … a fiery tongue ... And I like the way it is linked to the word, wildness. I like the word, wild – how it weaves its way between yes and no, how it announces itself as a wild anger … a wild joy … And I like the way it nurtures the word, fierce. I like the word, fierce -

3. Stanza 1 I like the word, fierce – the way it aligns itself with nakedness and solitude: a fierce nakedness ... a fierce solitude ... And I like the way it holds the word, fire.

5. Stanza 2 I like the word, fire – the way it ignites the cutting edge of poetry refusing to be nothing less than a fiery edge … a fiery tongue ... And I like the way it is linked to the word, wildness.

7. Stanza 3 I like the word, wild – how it weaves its way between yes and no, how it announces itself as a wild anger … a wild joy … And I like the way it nurtures the word, fierce. I like the word, fierce -

9. fierce Definition of FIERCE 1 a : violently hostile or aggressive in temperament b : given to fighting or killing : pugnacious 2 a : marked by unrestrained zeal or vehemence <a fierce argument> b : extremely vexatious, disappointing, or intense <fierce pain> 3 : furiously active or determined <make a fierce effort> 4 : wild or menacing in appearance — fierce·nessnoun Synonyms: fell, ferocious, grim, savage, vicious Antonyms: gentle, mild, unaggressive

10. aligns Definition of ALIGN transitive verb 1 : to bring into line or alignment 2 : to array on the side of or against a party or cause <he aligned himself with the protesters> intransitive verb 1 : to get or fall into line : to be in or come into precise adjustment or correct relative position — align·er noun

11. nakedness Definition of NAKED 1 : not covered by clothing : nude 2 : devoid of customary or natural covering : bare: as a : not enclosed in a scabbard b : not provided with a shade c of a plant or one of its parts : lacking pubescence or enveloping or subtending parts d : lacking foliage or vegetation e of an animal or one of its parts : lacking an external covering (as of hair, feathers, or shell) 3 a : scantily supplied or furnished b : lacking embellishment : unadorned 4 : unarmed, defenseless 5: lacking confirmation or support 6: devoid of concealment or disguise 7: unaided by any optical device or instrument <the naked eye> 8: not backed by the writer's ownership of the commodity contract or security — na•ked•ly adverb — na•ked•ness noun

12. solitude Definition of SOLITUDE 1 : the quality or state of being alone or remote from society : seclusion 2 : a lonely place (as a desert) Synonyms: aloneness, insulation, privacy, secludedness, seclusion, segregation, separateness, sequestration, solitariness, isolation

13. ignites Definition of IGNITE transitive verb 1 : to subject to fire or intense heat; especially : to render luminous by heat 2 a : to set afire; also : kindle b : to cause (a fuel) to burn 3 a : to heat up : excite <oppression that ignited the hatred of the people> b : to set in motion : spark <ignite a debate> intransitive verb 1 : to catch fire 2 : to begin to glow — ig·nit·abil·i·ty noun — ig·nit·able also ig·nit·ible adjective — ig·nit·er also ig·ni·tor noun

14. refusing Definition of REFUSE transitive verb 1 : to express oneself as unwilling to accept <refuse a gift> <refuse a promotion> 2 a : to show or express unwillingness to do or comply with <refused to answer the question> b : deny <they were refused admittance to the game> 3 obsolete : give up, renounce <deny thy father and refuse thy name — Shakespeare> intransitive verb : to withhold acceptance, compliance, or permission — re·fus·ernoun

15. wildness Definition of WILD 1 a : living in a state of nature and not ordinarily tame or domesticated <wild ducks> b (1) : growing or produced without human aid or care <wild honey> (2) : related to or resembling a corresponding cultivated or domesticated organism c : of or relating to wild organisms <the wild state> 2 a : not inhabited or cultivated <wild land> b : not amenable to human habitation or cultivation; also : desolate 3 a (1) : not subject to restraint or regulation : uncontrolled; also : unruly (2) : emotionally overcome <wild with grief>; also : passionately eager or enthusiastic <was wild to own a toy train — J. C. Furnas> b : marked by turbulent agitation : stormy <a wild night> c : going beyond normal or conventional bounds : fantastic <wild ideas>; also : sensational d : indicative of strong passion, desire, or emotion <a wild gleam of delight in his eyes — Irish Digest>

16. wildness Definition of WILD (Continued) 4 : uncivilized, barbaric 5 : characteristic of, appropriate to, or expressive of wilderness, wildlife, or a simple or uncivilized society — wild•ish adjective — wild•ness noun

17. weaves Definition of WEAVE transitive verb 1 a : to form (cloth) by interlacing strands (as of yarn); specifically : to make (cloth) on a loom by interlacing warp and filling threads b : to interlace (as threads) into cloth c : to make (as a basket) by intertwining 2 : spin 2 —used of spiders and insects 3 : to interlace especially to form a texture, fabric, or design 4 a : to produce by elaborately combining elements : contrive b : to unite in a coherent whole c : to introduce as an appropriate element : work in —usually used with in or into 5 : to direct (as the body) in a winding or zigzag course especially to avoid obstacles intransitive verb 1 : to work at weaving : make cloth 2 : to move in a devious, winding, or zigzag course especially to avoid obstacles

18. announces Definition of ANNOUNCE transitive verb 1 : to make known publicly : proclaim <announced the appointment> 2 a : to give notice of the arrival, presence, or readiness of <announce dinner> b : to indicate beforehand : foretell 3 : to serve as an announcer of <announce a football game> intransitive verb 1 : to serve as an announcer 2 a : to declare one's candidacy <announce for president> b : to declare oneself politically <announce against a nominee>

19. nurtures Definition of NURTURE 1 : training, upbringing 2 : something that nourishes : food 3 : the sum of the environmental factors influencing the behaviour and traits expressed by an organism

21. Answer in your note book 1. Why do you think that the poet only uses the present simple tense when referring to the “word” , yet in the second stanza he uses the present progressive when he refers to “poetry”? 2. The poet uses the past simple tense in the second stanza – why? 3. Discuss the verbs: aligns, ignites, weaves – what connection do you see between these word? 4. fierce and wild – is there a connection between these two words? If so what?

22. cutting edge How would you best describe the word above? What images come to mind? What feelings / emotions does it conjure up in you?

23. fiery edge How would you best describe the word above? What images come to mind? What feelings / emotions does it conjure up in you?

24. fierce nakedness How would you best describe the word above? What images come to mind? What feelings / emotions does it conjure up in you?

25. fierce solitude How would you best describe the word above? What images come to mind? What feelings / emotions does it conjure up in you?

26. wild anger How would you best describe the word above? What images come to mind? What feelings / emotions does it conjure up in you?

27. fiery tongue How would you best describe the word above? What images come to mind? What feelings / emotions does it conjure up in you?

28. wild joy How would you best describe the word above? What images come to mind? What feelings / emotions does it conjure up in you?

29. The Poet A medical doctor, psychiatrist and analytical psychologist, he is also a specialist wilderness guide, an author and a poet. He has spent the last ten years guiding throughout Southern Africa and parts of East Africa. His special interests focus on evolutionary theory, consciousness and the animal-human interface, what we learn about ourselves from the animals, and astronomy.

30. The Poet Ian McCallum founder of the Wilderness Leadership School in the Cape of Good Hope. He is the author of the novel Thorns to Kilimanjaro and a poetry collection, Wild Gifts. In the 1970s he played fullback for Springbok, South Africa's national union rugby team. McCallum currently lives in Cape Town with his wife, Sharon. Ian McCallum in the 1970’s

31. Answer Key(My personal interpretation) Accept any logical answers if back up in the poem. 1. Why do you think that the poet only uses the present simple tense when referring to the “word” , yet in the second stanza he uses the present progressive when he refers to “poetry”? In the present tense time is static, it does not change, time is not changing. Words do not change they are fixed. Whereas when referring to poetry – the progressive tense shows movement and poetry is always dynamic – it is constantly changing.

32. Answer Key(My personal interpretation) Accept any logical answers if back up in the poem. The poet uses the past simple tense in the second stanza – why? “it is linked” This shows that it is done and nothing can be done to change the past – it is unchangeable

33. Answer Key(My personal interpretation) Accept any logical answers if back up in the poem. Discuss the verbs: aligns, ignites, weaves – what connection do you see between these word? These are all words of movement, “aligns” is to get into place so that it can begin (ignites) to move (weaves) The first stanza we line up with who we are, regardless of our surroundings – just us. The second stanza we are set alight by the poetry in us in the way it weaves (third stanza)out in anger and joy as we grow into who we must be.

34. Answer Key(My personal interpretation) Accept any logical answers if back up in the poem. 4. fierce and wild – is there a connection between these two words? If so what? The images are very similar – both are untamed, out of control. The Latin of fierce (ferus) is wild.