Wintering Out

Wintering Out (1972) is a poetry collection by Irish poet Seamus Heaney. This work marks a shift in Heaney's poetry, as he begins to more directly address the violence in Northern Ireland and contemporary Irish experiences. While not overtly political, Heaney's poems often reflect on "the Troubles," the period of sectarian conflict in his native region.12

In Wintering Out, Heaney uses a mythic and mystical filter to explore these themes. For example, the poem "Punishment" draws a parallel between ancient Irish ritual punishments and the modern-day public shaming of women involved with men of opposing religions during the height of the Troubles. The collection showcases Heaney's characteristic style, which often draws from his experiences of rural Irish life and history.12