Poetry - `Churning Day` by Seamus Heaney

[Kiera]

Can anyone explain the metaphors? 1) `large pottery bombs` line 3 and 2) `the hot brewery` line 4 Thanks

[dundurn]

1) The earthenware crocks that the milk had been poured into stood on a table or a shelf in the milk room. They were tall cylinders and Heaney is likening them to shell casings in an ammunition factory.

2) The milk has been created in cows essentially by a process of fermentation in the cow's stomachs, and later in the glandular tissue of the udder - all processes requiring warmth. Heaney is contrasting this warm, active process with the cool, passive waiting for the cream to rise to the top of the milk.

[Kiera]

Thanks very much. It makes it much more clearer to understand.

Thank you