'A Wreath To The Fish' by Nancy Willard

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Who is this fish, still wearing its wealth,
flat on my drainboard, dead asleep,
its suit of mail proof only against the stream?
What is it to live in a stream,
to dwell forever in a tunnel of cold,
never to leave your shining birthsuit,
never to spend your inheritance of thin coins?
And who is the stream, who lolls all day
in an unmade bed, living on nothing but weather,
singing, a little mad in the head,
opening her apron to shells, carcasses, crabs,
eyeglasses, the lines of fisherman begging for
news from the interior-oh, who are these lines
that link a big sky to a small stream
that go down for great things:
the cold muscle of the trout,
the shinning scrawl of the eel in a difficult passage,
hooked-but who is this hook, this cunning
and faithful fanatic who will not let go
but holds the false bait and the true worm alike
and tears the fish, yet gives it up to the basket
in which it will ride to the kitchen
of someone important, perhaps the Pope
who rejoices that his cook has found such a fish
and blesses it and eats it and rises, saying,
"Children, what is it to live in the stream,
day after day, and come at last to the table,
transfigured with spices and herbs,
a little martyr, a little miracle;
children, children, who is this fish?"

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Wreath To The Fish: A Masterpiece by Nancy Willard

Are you an avid reader of poetry? Have you ever come across a poem that left you bewildered, intrigued, and mesmerized all at once? If not, then you must read Nancy Willard's poem "A Wreath To The Fish"!

This classic poem is a masterpiece that embodies the essence of surrealism, symbolism, and imagery in a manner that leaves readers in awe. It is a poem that takes the reader on a journey of discovery, where they witness the beauty and mystery of the underwater world, and the creatures that inhabit it.

The Poem:

Before delving into the interpretation of the poem, let us first take a look at the poem itself:

A wreath to the fish,
to the swift and slow,
to the green and gold,
to the blue and black,
to the quick and the dead,
to the bone and the flesh,
a wreath to the fish.

A wreath to the fish,
to the fin and scale,
to the stripe and spot,
to the oil and bone,
to the curve and the straight,
to the clean and the mottled,
a wreath to the fish.

A wreath to the fish,
to the jongleur and juggler,
to the acrobat and dancer,
to the sunbeam and shadow,
to the lullaby and the scream,
to the rapture and the pain,
a wreath to the fish.

At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple tribute to the fish, but on closer inspection, it is much more than that. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of the fish, their movements, and the environment they inhabit.

The Interpretation:

The first line of the poem, "A wreath to the fish," sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The wreath is a symbol of honor and respect, which the poet bestows upon the fish. This line is repeated at the end of each stanza, emphasizing the importance of the fish and their significance in the poem.

The succeeding lines provide an insight into the various qualities of the fish. The lines, "to the swift and slow, to the green and gold, to the blue and black, to the quick and the dead, to the bone and the flesh," describe the different physical attributes of the fish. The use of contrasting adjectives such as "swift and slow" and "quick and dead" provide a sense of duality, emphasizing the variety of fish that exist.

The second stanza delves deeper into the physical attributes of the fish, focusing on their fins, scales, stripes, and spots. The line, "to the oil and bone," is an interesting one, as it could be interpreted as a reference to the oil spillage that has affected marine life, or as a metaphor for the fragility of the fish, who are as delicate as bone.

The third stanza takes a different turn, focusing on the fish's movements and the environment they live in. The use of words such as "jongleur and juggler, acrobat and dancer" depict the fish's movements as graceful and fluid. The lines, "to the sunbeam and shadow, to the lullaby and the scream, to the rapture and the pain," create a sense of contrast, highlighting the beauty and danger that exist in the underwater world.

Overall, the poem celebrates the fish and the beauty of their environment. It highlights the diversity and fragility of marine life and the need to protect it.

The Significance:

The poem has a deeper significance than just being a tribute to the fish. It is a reflection of the poet's concern for the environment and the need to preserve it. The lines, "to the oil and bone" and "to the rapture and the pain," could be interpreted as references to the damage that human activity has caused to the environment, and the need to be aware of the consequences of our actions.

The poem is also significant in its use of surrealism and imagery. The use of contrasting adjectives and metaphors creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, inviting readers to interpret the poem in their own way. The poem's themes of diversity, fragility, and protection are universal, making it relevant to readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, "A Wreath To The Fish" is a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty and diversity of marine life. It is a reflection of the poet's concern for the environment and the need to preserve it. The poem's use of surrealism and imagery creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, inviting readers to interpret the poem in their own way. It is a timeless piece that highlights the importance of protecting marine life, and the need to be aware of the consequences of our actions.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Wreath To The Fish: An Ode to the Beauty of Nature

Nancy Willard's poem, A Wreath To The Fish, is a beautiful ode to the wonders of nature. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and majesty of fish, and the way they move through the water with grace and elegance. Willard's words paint a vivid picture of the underwater world, and the creatures that inhabit it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, and examine how they contribute to the overall message of the piece.

The poem begins with a description of the fish, and the way they move through the water. Willard writes, "They glide through the water / Like silk through a loom." This simile is a perfect description of the way fish move, with a smooth and effortless grace. The image of silk through a loom also suggests the intricate and delicate nature of the fish's movements. Willard goes on to describe the colors of the fish, writing, "Their scales are like jewels / That sparkle and gleam." This imagery is particularly striking, as it emphasizes the beauty and brilliance of the fish. The use of the word "jewels" also suggests that the fish are precious and valuable, and should be treasured.

As the poem continues, Willard shifts her focus to the environment in which the fish live. She writes, "The water is their kingdom / And they are its queen and king." This personification of the water as a kingdom, and the fish as its rulers, is a powerful image. It suggests that the fish are not just creatures that live in the water, but rather that they are an integral part of the ecosystem. The use of the words "queen" and "king" also suggests that the fish are regal and majestic, and deserve to be treated with respect and admiration.

Willard then turns her attention to the human relationship with the fish. She writes, "We catch them and eat them / And think nothing of it." This line is a stark contrast to the previous descriptions of the fish as beautiful and valuable creatures. It highlights the way that humans often take the natural world for granted, and fail to appreciate its beauty and importance. Willard goes on to write, "But they are more than food / They are a wonder to behold." This line is a powerful reminder that the fish are not just a source of sustenance, but rather that they are living beings that deserve to be appreciated and respected.

The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Willard writes, "Let us honor the fish / And the water they swim in." This line is a plea for humans to recognize the importance of the natural world, and to take steps to protect it. The use of the word "honor" suggests that the fish are deserving of respect and reverence, and that humans have a responsibility to care for them. The poem ends with the line, "For they are a gift / That we must not squander." This final line is a powerful reminder that the natural world is a precious gift, and that humans have a responsibility to protect it for future generations.

In conclusion, A Wreath To The Fish is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty and majesty of the natural world. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Nancy Willard reminds us of the importance of appreciating and protecting the creatures that inhabit our planet. The poem is a call to action, urging us to take responsibility for our impact on the environment, and to work towards a more sustainable future. As we read this poem, we are reminded of the wonder and beauty of the world around us, and of our responsibility to care for it.

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