“The Birds” by John Updike In the piece by Updike describing his experience with the birds, the organization, syntax, figurative language all contribute to the readers concluding response. Updike uses syntax to add drama to the poem and to lead up to the bold ending. In the last stanza the first line only contains two words as opposed to all the other lines of any stanza: ”And as.” This specific use of syntax is employed by the author so that as one reads, one must really stop and pause and this line. The reader assumes that he or she is reaching the climax and so this short stylistic writing contributes to the growing anticipation. Also in the second stanza the author separa