If you dissect a bird / to diagram the tongue, / you'll cut the chord / articulating song.
Sylvia Plath's quote reflects the idea that analyzing something beautiful can often destroy its essence. By taking apart a bird to understand its anatomy, especially its tongue, one risks losing the very quality that makes the bird special — its ability to sing. This highlights the tension between scientific inquiry and the appreciation of natural beauty, suggesting that deep examination can lead to a loss of meaning and wonder.
The metaphor serves as a cautionary reminder about the limits of dissection in understanding art and nature. While dissection may provide knowledge, it may also erase the qualities that evoke emotion and joy. It emphasizes the notion that some elements of existence are best appreciated in their whole form, rather than through dissection and analysis.