'Florida' by Elizabeth Bishop
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The state with the prettiest name,
the state that floats in brackish water,
held together by mangrave roots
that bear while living oysters in clusters,
and when dead strew white swamps with skeletons,
dotted as if bombarded, with green hummocks
like ancient cannon-balls sprouting grass.
The state full of long S-shaped birds, blue and white,
and unseen hysterical birds who rush up the scale
every time in a tantrum.
Tanagers embarrassed by their flashiness,
and pelicans whose delight it is to clown;
who coast for fun on the strong tidal currents
in and out among the mangrove islands
and stand on the sand-bars drying their damp gold wings
on sun-lit evenings.
Enormous turtles, helpless and mild,
die and leave their barnacled shells on the beaches,
and their large white skulls with round eye-sockets
twice the size of a man's.
The palm trees clatter in the stiff breeze
like the bills of the pelicans. The tropical rain comes down
to freshen the tide-looped strings of fading shells:
Job's Tear, the Chinese Alphabet, the scarce Junonia,
parti-colored pectins and Ladies' Ears,
arranged as on a gray rag of rotted calico,
the buried Indian Princess's skirt;
with these the monotonous, endless, sagging coast-line
is delicately ornamented.
Thirty or more buzzards are drifting down, down, down,
over something they have spotted in the swamp,
in circles like stirred-up flakes of sediment
sinking through water.
Smoke from woods-fires filters fine blue solvents.
On stumps and dead trees the charring is like black velvet.
The mosquitoes
go hunting to the tune of their ferocious obbligatos.
After dark, the fireflies map the heavens in the marsh
until the moon rises.
Cold white, not bright, the moonlight is coarse-meshed,
and the careless, corrupt state is all black specks
too far apart, and ugly whites; the poorest
post-card of itself.
After dark, the pools seem to have slipped away.
The alligator, who has five distinct calls:
friendliness, love, mating, war, and a warning--
whimpers and speaks in the throat
of the Indian Princess.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Florida" by Elizabeth Bishop
Oh, where to begin with Elizabeth Bishop's "Florida"? This poem is a shining example of Bishop's ability to capture the essence of a place, to draw on its topography and ecology, and to imbue it with meaning and emotion.
Background and Context
First published in 1946, "Florida" was written during Bishop's travels across the southern United States. Bishop had been living in Key West, Florida, for some time and had become fascinated with the state's natural beauty and its strange, swampy landscapes.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of Florida's environment, from its birds and flowers to its rivers and swamps. As Bishop herself noted, the poem is "more descriptive than symbolic," and its focus is on capturing the sensory experience of the landscape rather than trying to convey a particular message or theme.
Stanza One: Birds and Flowers
The first stanza of "Florida" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Bishop captures the beauty of the state's avian and floral life in vivid detail, describing them as "tropical stars" and "bright, brittle miracles."
But there's something more going on here than just a simple appreciation of Florida's natural beauty. Bishop's use of the word "brittle" suggests that there's a fragility to this world, that these birds and flowers are delicate and easily broken.
Moreover, the fact that Bishop describes these creatures as "tropical" suggests that they are exotic and otherworldly, far removed from the more familiar flora and fauna of the north. This creates a sense of distance and alienation, as if Bishop is observing this world from a remove.
Stanza Two: The River
The second stanza of "Florida" shifts the focus from the birds and flowers to the state's waterways. Bishop describes the river as "a chain of long, silver bubbles," and the imagery she uses creates a sense of movement and flux.
The river is both a source of life and a source of danger. Bishop notes that "alligator, cork-colored," lies "on a bank of mud" and "holds its pose." These lines show how the alligator is a symbol of the danger that lurks beneath the surface of the river, a reminder that this is a place where life is always precarious.
But the river is also a place of beauty and wonder. Bishop notes that "the palm trees clatter in the wind" and "the barges drift with the current." Here, the river becomes a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of change.
Stanza Three: The Swamp
The final stanza of "Florida" shifts the focus once again, this time to the state's swamps. Bishop describes these wetlands as "sullen, stagnant." The imagery here is dark and foreboding, suggesting that the swamps are a dangerous and forbidding place.
But there's also a sense of mystery and allure to the swamps. Bishop notes that "the snake comes out of hiding," and there's a suggestion that this is a place where secrets are revealed and hidden things are brought to light.
The poem ends with Bishop describing the "tentative light" that falls on the swamp, as if to suggest that even in this dark and dangerous place, there is the possibility of hope and redemption.
Interpretation
"Florida" is a rich and complex poem that rewards close reading and interpretation. At its heart, the poem is a meditation on the fragility and beauty of the natural world, and the ways in which we interact with it.
Bishop's use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective in conveying the sense of wonder and danger that characterizes Florida's environment. Whether she's describing the otherworldly beauty of the state's birds and flowers or the sullen mystery of its swamps, Bishop has a gift for capturing the essence of a place in all its complexity.
But there's also a deeper message at work here. Through her descriptions of Florida's landscape, Bishop is suggesting that we are all part of this fragile and beautiful world, and that our actions have consequences for the natural environment around us.
In many ways, "Florida" is a cautionary tale, a reminder that we must be mindful of our impact on the planet and the delicate ecosystems that sustain us. But it's also a celebration of the natural world, a hymn to the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
Conclusion
In the end, "Florida" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a work that continues to resonate with readers today. Its vivid descriptions of the natural world and its complex themes and messages make it a work of enduring relevance and beauty.
Elizabeth Bishop was a true master of her craft, and "Florida" is a shining example of her talents as a poet. Whether you're a lover of poetry or simply a fan of the natural world, this poem is well worth reading and pondering.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Florida: A Poem of Contrasts and Reflections
Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “Florida” is a masterpiece of contrasts and reflections. The poem is a vivid portrayal of the state of Florida, with its lush vegetation, exotic animals, and vibrant colors. However, the poem is not just a description of the physical landscape; it is also a reflection on the human condition, on the contrast between the natural world and the world of human beings.
The poem begins with a description of the natural world, with its “green darkness” and “the mangrove, the petal of the sea”. The imagery is rich and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and mysterious. The poet describes the “white heron” and the “pelican” as they fly over the landscape, adding to the sense of wonder and awe.
However, the poem quickly shifts its focus to the human world, with its “concrete” and “plastic”. The contrast between the natural world and the world of human beings is stark, and the poet seems to be suggesting that the two are incompatible. The “concrete” and “plastic” are described as “ugly” and “unreal”, highlighting the sense of alienation that the poet feels.
The poem then returns to the natural world, with its “green islands” and “blue sea”. The imagery is once again rich and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and mysterious. The poet describes the “manatee” and the “turtle” as they swim in the sea, adding to the sense of wonder and awe.
However, the poem once again shifts its focus to the human world, with its “tourists” and “hotels”. The contrast between the natural world and the world of human beings is once again stark, and the poet seems to be suggesting that the two are incompatible. The “tourists” and “hotels” are described as “intrusive” and “destructive”, highlighting the sense of alienation that the poet feels.
The poem then returns to the natural world once again, with its “mangrove islands” and “the green turtle”. The imagery is once again rich and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and mysterious. The poet describes the “osprey” and the “egret” as they fly over the landscape, adding to the sense of wonder and awe.
However, the poem once again shifts its focus to the human world, with its “billboards” and “neon lights”. The contrast between the natural world and the world of human beings is once again stark, and the poet seems to be suggesting that the two are incompatible. The “billboards” and “neon lights” are described as “garish” and “tacky”, highlighting the sense of alienation that the poet feels.
The poem then returns to the natural world once again, with its “green water” and “white sand”. The imagery is once again rich and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both beautiful and mysterious. The poet describes the “hermit crab” and the “conch shell” as they lie on the beach, adding to the sense of wonder and awe.
However, the poem ends on a note of ambiguity, with the poet describing the “pink clouds” as they “float away”. The imagery is once again rich and evocative, but the meaning is unclear. Is the poet suggesting that the natural world is disappearing, or is she suggesting that it is eternal? The ambiguity of the ending adds to the sense of mystery and wonder that pervades the poem.
In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “Florida” is a masterpiece of contrasts and reflections. The poem is a vivid portrayal of the state of Florida, with its lush vegetation, exotic animals, and vibrant colors. However, the poem is not just a description of the physical landscape; it is also a reflection on the human condition, on the contrast between the natural world and the world of human beings. The poem is a powerful reminder of the beauty and mystery of the natural world, and of the need to preserve it for future generations.
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