Symbolism in Hopkin's "The Windhover" The windhover takes its' name from its ability to hover steady over one spot in the face of the wind. The subject of the poem is the poets admiration for a balance acheived in the face of violent motion, and both admiration of the transcendental example of Christ. The poems argument then is Hopkins interpretation of Christ and Christian action. "The Windhover" bears a religious dedication: "to Christ our Lord", and yet contains no explicit element of traditional religious symbolism except possibly the falcon. Its imagery expresses ease and balance. The mention of "blue-black embers" comes