The image of Ella ‘following a bird’ could suggest that she has become wiser about the ways of nature, and therefore the world, now being able to read the birds, something that was previously ‘unreadable’. A ‘bird’ is also a symbol of freedom, Ella finally moving out into the world and experiencing everything for the first time.
Duffy represents the outside world as dark and unfriendly, ‘one huge darkness’ symbolizing all of the evil in the world. Duffy is worried about letting her daughter freely experience life, yet permits her to go anyway, knowing this is the way of the world.
Yet, Ella knows that her mother will always be there for her, represented through the ‘stars’ that ‘were her mother’s eyes’. Stars were traditionally used by travellers to guide their paths, with Ella using the connection she has with her mother to ensure that she remains on track, always able to continue going.(STARS USED AS IMAGERY BY VARIOUS POETS SUCH AS SHAKESPEARE IN SONNET 116 TO SHOW THE GUIDING FORCE OF LOVE)
The combination of natural and human within the final two lines of the poem, ‘screech of an owl’ and ‘baby’s cry’ demonstrate how motherhood and growing up are a part of every species. Even animals must let their young explore the world, the youth ‘owl’ and ‘baby’s cry’ both sound similar. Duffy presents the bond she has with her daughter, letting her experience the world freely, but always being there if she were to need any help.