'North Haven' by Elizabeth Bishop
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In Memoriam: Robert Lowell
I can make out the rigging of a schooner
a mile off; I can count
the new cones on the spruce. It is so still
the pale bay wears a milky skin; the sky
no clouds except for one long, carded horse¹s tail.
The islands haven't shifted since last summer,
even if I like to pretend they have
--drifting, in a dreamy sort of way,
a little north, a little south, or sidewise,
and that they're free within the blue frontiers of bay.
This month, our favorite one is full of flowers:
Buttercups, Red Clover, Purple Vetch,
Hackweed still burning, Daisies pied, Eyebright,
the Fragrant Bedstraw's incandescent stars,
and more, returned, to paint the meadows with delight.
The Goldfinches are back, or others like them,
and the White-throated Sparrow's five-note song,
pleading and pleading, brings tears to the eyes.
Nature repeats herself, or almost does:
repeat, repeat, repeat; revise, revise, revise.
Years ago, you told me it was here
(in 1932?) you first "discovered girls"
and learned to sail, and learned to kiss.
You had "such fun," you said, that classic summer.
("Fun"--it always seemed to leave you at a loss...)
You left North Haven, anchored in its rock,
afloat in mystic blue...And now--you've left
for good. You can't derange, or re-arrange,
your poems again. (But the Sparrows can their song.)
The words won't change again. Sad friend, you cannot change.
Editor 1 Interpretation
North Haven by Elizabeth Bishop: A Critical Interpretation
What does it mean to come home? Elizabeth Bishop explores this question in her evocative poem, "North Haven". The poem is a meditation on returning to a childhood home, and the mixed emotions that arise when we revisit a place that holds so many memories. Through vivid imagery and subtle metaphors, Bishop captures the bittersweetness of nostalgia, and the way that our perceptions of the past are shaped by our experiences in the present.
A Brief Overview
"North Haven" is a poem of eight stanzas, with a simple and elegant structure that belies its complex emotional undercurrents. Bishop begins by describing the journey to her childhood home, a small island off the coast of Maine. She notes the changes in the landscape, the "new brown cliffs/that rise up in the distance", and the sense of unease that comes from seeing something so familiar transformed by time. As she approaches the island, Bishop becomes increasingly nostalgic, recalling the sights and sounds of her youth, and reflecting on the way that the place has changed in her absence.
The second half of the poem shifts focus, as Bishop reflects on her own mortality, and the way that the passage of time affects all aspects of life. She observes nature around her, from the "moss-covered rocks" to the "green pine trees", and contemplates the inevitability of decay and renewal. The final stanza captures the sense of acceptance that comes with this realization, as Bishop looks out over the ocean and experiences a moment of peace and clarity.
The Role of Memory
At its core, "North Haven" is a poem about memory, and the way that our recollections shape our understanding of the world. Bishop's journey to her childhood home is tinged with nostalgia, as she recalls the sights and sounds of her youth. She speaks of "the same old elm" that she used to climb, the "red barn" where she played, and the "wild raspberries" that she used to pick. These memories are powerful, and Bishop's descriptions are so vivid that the reader can almost feel the texture of the bark, taste the berries, and smell the salt air.
Yet, even as she revels in these recollections, Bishop is aware of the limitations of memory. She acknowledges that the island has changed in her absence, and that her own perceptions of the place have been shaped by her experiences elsewhere. She notes the "new brown cliffs" that have arisen in the distance, and observes that the "wind has shifted slightly and differently". These changes are small, but they are enough to disrupt Bishop's sense of familiarity, and to remind her that memory is always incomplete.
The Passage of Time
As Bishop reflects on the changes to her childhood home, she also grapples with the passage of time more broadly. She observes the "moss-covered rocks" and the "green pine trees", and notes that both are "older than a thousand years". She contemplates the slow pace of growth and decay, and the way that even the most enduring of natural features will eventually crumble and fade away.
This awareness of impermanence is a central theme of the poem, and it is closely tied to Bishop's own mortality. She notes that the "island is very small", and that it is "almost uninhabitable". She reflects on her own aging body, and observes that "the light grows richer" as she herself grows older. Yet, despite these intimations of mortality, Bishop does not shy away from them. Instead, she embraces the changes that come with time, and finds solace in the beauty of the world around her.
Conclusion
"North Haven" is a poem of great beauty and complexity, one that captures the essence of nostalgia and the passage of time. Through her evocative descriptions and subtle metaphors, Elizabeth Bishop explores the power of memory, and the way that our past experiences shape our perception of the world. She also reflects on the inevitability of decay and renewal, and finds meaning in the cyclical nature of life. Ultimately, "North Haven" is a poem about acceptance, and the way that we can find peace even in the face of change and uncertainty.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
North Haven: A Poem of Reflection and Acceptance
Elizabeth Bishop’s North Haven is a poem that captures the essence of life’s journey and the inevitability of death. Written in 1979, the poem reflects Bishop’s own experiences and emotions as she contemplates the end of her life. The poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human condition, and it speaks to the universal experience of loss and acceptance.
The poem is set in North Haven, a small island off the coast of Maine, where Bishop spent many summers. The island serves as a metaphor for life, with its rocky shores and unpredictable weather. The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the beauty of the island, with its “blue hills” and “white, sharp-pointed houses.” The speaker then turns to the inevitability of death, stating that “all is over” and that “the world is gone.”
The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker begins to reflect on the beauty of life and the memories that will remain after death. The speaker states that “the memories we used to share / will not be there to comfort you / or to answer your despair.” This is a powerful statement, as it acknowledges the pain and sadness that comes with loss, but also the beauty and joy that comes from the memories we create.
The poem then moves into a reflection on the speaker’s own life, and the acceptance of death. The speaker states that “I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.” This is a powerful statement, as it acknowledges the pain and sadness that comes with loss, but also the beauty and joy that comes from the memories we create.
The poem then moves into a reflection on the speaker’s own life, and the acceptance of death. The speaker states that “I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.” This is a powerful statement, as it acknowledges the pain and sadness that comes with loss, but also the beauty and joy that comes from the memories we create.
The poem then ends with a reflection on the beauty of life, and the acceptance of death. The speaker states that “it is not true that we have only one life to live / if we can read, we can live as many lives and as many kinds of lives / as we wish.” This is a powerful statement, as it acknowledges the beauty and richness of life, and the importance of living fully and embracing all that life has to offer.
In conclusion, North Haven is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human condition, and it speaks to the universal experience of loss and acceptance. The poem captures the essence of life’s journey, and the inevitability of death, but also the beauty and joy that comes from the memories we create. It is a powerful reminder to live fully and embrace all that life has to offer, and to find peace and acceptance in the face of death.
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