'Canoe , The' by Isabella Valancy Crawford
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1My masters twain made me a bed
2Of pine-boughs resinous, and cedar;
3Of moss, a soft and gentle breeder
4Of dreams of rest; and me they spread
5With furry skins, and laughing said,
6"Now she shall lay her polish'd sides,
7As queens do rest, or dainty brides,
8Our slender lady of the tides!"
9My masters twain their camp-soul lit,
10Streamed incense from the hissing cones,
11Large, crimson flashes grew and whirl'd
12Thin, golden nerves of sly light curl'd
13Round the dun camp, and rose faint zones,
14Half way about each grim bole knit,
15Like a shy child that would bedeck
16With its soft clasp a Brave's red neck;
17Yet sees the rough shield on his breast,
18The awful plumes shake on his crest,
19And fearful drops his timid face,
20Nor dares complete the sweet embrace.
21Into the hollow hearts of brakes,
22Yet warm from sides of does and stags,
23Pass'd to the crisp dark river flags;
24Sinuous, red as copper snakes,
25Sharp-headed serpents, made of light,
26Glided and hid themselves in night.
27My masters twain, the slaughter'd deer
28Hung on fork'd boughs—with thongs of leather.
29Bound were his stiff, slim feet together—
30His eyes like dead stars cold and drear;
31The wand'ring firelight drew near
32And laid its wide palm, red and anxious,
33On the sharp splendor of his branches;
34On the white foam grown hard and sere
35On flank and shoulder.
36Death—hard as breast of granite boulder,
37And under his lashes
38Peer'd thro' his eyes at his life's gray ashes.
39My masters twain sang songs that wove
40(As they burnish'd hunting blade and rifle)
41A golden thread with a cobweb trifle—
42Loud of the chase, and low of love.
43"O Love, art thou a silver fish ?
44Shy of the line and shy of gaffing,
45Which we do follow, fierce, yet laughing,
46Casting at thee the light-wing'd wish,
47And at the last shall we bring thee up
48From the crystal darkness under the cup
49Of lily folden,
50On broad leaves golden ?
51"O Love! art thou a silver deer,
52Swift thy starr'd feet as wing of swallow,
53While we with rushing arrows follow;
54And at the last shall we draw near,
55And over thy velvet neck cast thongs—
56Woven of roses, of stars, of songs ?
57New chains all molden
58Of rare gems olden!"
59They hung the slaughter'd fish like swords
60On saplings slender—like scimitars
61Bright, and ruddied from new-dead wars,
62Blaz'd in the light--the scaly hordes.
63They pil'd up boughs beneath the trees,
64Of cedar-web and green fir tassel;
65Low did the pointed pine tops rustle,
66The camp fire blush'd to the tender breeze.
67The hounds laid dew-laps on the ground,
68With needles of pine sweet, soft, and rusty—
69Dream'd of the dead stag stout and lusty;
70A bat by the red flames wove its round.
71The darkness built its wigwam walls
72Close round the camp, and at its curtain
73Press'd shapes, thin woven and uncertain,
74As white locks of tall waterfalls.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Interpretation and Literary Criticism of "Canoe" by Isabella Valancy Crawford
Oh, let me tell you about the wonders of Isabella Valancy Crawford's poem "Canoe"! This piece of poetry is a true gem in Canadian literature, and it speaks volumes about the Canadian identity and the beauty of nature.
Overview of "Canoe"
"Canoe" is a lyrical poem that tells the story of a canoe trip taken by two people (the narrator and their companion) down a river in the woods. As they paddle together, they come across various natural wonders, such as the "peaks that stab the sky," "the sable pines that fringe the shore," and "the lilies in the shallow nooks."
The poem is divided into five stanzas of varying length, with each stanza describing a different aspect of the canoe trip. The first stanza sets the scene by describing the river and the surrounding landscape, while the second stanza introduces the narrator and their companion.
The third and fourth stanzas are the heart of the poem, as they describe the wonders that the two travelers encounter on their journey. These stanzas are rich in imagery and use vivid language to bring the natural world to life. The fifth stanza brings the poem to a close by describing the end of the journey and the return to civilization.
Themes and Interpretation
One of the main themes of "Canoe" is the connection between humans and nature. The poem celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the sense of wonder and awe that it inspires in us. The narrator and their companion are portrayed as being in harmony with the river and the woods, and their journey down the river is a metaphor for the journey of life itself.
At the same time, the poem also acknowledges the power and majesty of nature, which can be both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The "roaring cataract" and the "storm-cloud's lurid fold" are reminders that nature is not always gentle and benign, and that we must respect its power and unpredictability.
Another theme of the poem is the importance of companionship and shared experience. The two travelers in the poem are not named or described in any detail, but their camaraderie and the bond that they share is evident in their shared experience of the canoe trip. The poem suggests that there is something special about shared experiences of nature, and that they can bring people closer together.
Finally, "Canoe" is also a celebration of the Canadian wilderness and the Canadian identity. The poem is filled with references to Canadian flora and fauna, and the landscape that it describes is quintessentially Canadian. The poem celebrates the beauty and majesty of the Canadian wilderness, and suggests that it is an important part of the Canadian identity.
Literary Criticism
From a literary perspective, "Canoe" is a masterful piece of poetry that demonstrates Isabella Valancy Crawford's skill as a writer. The poem is rich in imagery and metaphor, and the language is both vivid and musical. Crawford's use of alliteration, assonance, and other sound devices gives the poem a musical quality that is pleasing to the ear.
The structure of the poem is also noteworthy. The use of five stanzas of varying length gives the poem a sense of movement and progression, and the repetition of certain phrases ("paddle, paddle, paddle" and "wilderness of woods") gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence.
At the same time, the poem is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the language of the poem to be overly flowery or sentimental, and the poem's celebration of the Canadian wilderness may strike some readers as overly romantic or naive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Canoe" is a beautiful and lyrical poem that celebrates the beauty and majesty of the Canadian wilderness. It is a testament to the power of nature to inspire awe and wonder, and to the importance of shared experiences in bringing people closer together. Isabella Valancy Crawford's skill as a writer is evident in the rich imagery and musical language of the poem, and the poem is a true gem in Canadian literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a powerful medium that can evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures, and transport readers to different worlds. One such poem that does all of this and more is "The Canoe" by Isabella Valancy Crawford. This classic piece of literature is a beautiful ode to nature, love, and the human spirit.
At its core, "The Canoe" is a poem about a couple who embark on a journey in a canoe. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which describes a different aspect of the journey. The first part sets the scene and describes the beauty of the natural world around them. The second part focuses on the couple's love for each other and their shared experience. The final part is a reflection on the journey and the lessons learned.
The poem begins with a description of the natural world around the couple. Crawford's use of language is masterful, painting a vivid picture of the scenery. She writes, "The river winds like a serpent of light, / And the sky is ablaze with its gold and its white." This imagery is breathtaking, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The couple is surrounded by beauty, and they are in awe of it.
As the journey continues, the focus shifts to the couple's love for each other. Crawford writes, "The canoe glides on, and the heart within / Is brimming with love like a cup with wine." This line is particularly powerful because it captures the essence of the couple's relationship. They are deeply in love, and their love is overflowing. The journey in the canoe is a metaphor for their relationship, and they are navigating it together.
The final part of the poem is a reflection on the journey and the lessons learned. Crawford writes, "We have learned the lesson that life repeats, / And the heart that gives is the heart that beats." This line is a beautiful reminder that life is cyclical, and what we give is what we receive. The couple has learned this lesson through their journey in the canoe, and it has strengthened their relationship.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Canoe" is Crawford's use of language. Her words are carefully chosen, and they create a powerful image in the reader's mind. For example, she writes, "The river winds like a serpent of light." This line is not only beautiful, but it also creates a sense of movement and fluidity. The river is not just a static body of water; it is alive and moving.
Another example of Crawford's masterful use of language is in the line, "The heart that gives is the heart that beats." This line is simple yet profound. It captures the essence of the poem and the lesson that the couple has learned. Crawford's ability to distill complex ideas into simple, beautiful language is what makes "The Canoe" such a powerful piece of literature.
In addition to her use of language, Crawford's imagery is also noteworthy. She paints a vivid picture of the natural world around the couple, describing the river, the sky, and the trees. This imagery is not only beautiful, but it also creates a sense of tranquility and peace. The couple is surrounded by nature, and it is a source of comfort and solace for them.
"The Canoe" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience. It is a reminder of the beauty of nature, the power of love, and the importance of reflection. Crawford's use of language and imagery is masterful, and it creates a powerful image in the reader's mind. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to evoke emotions and transport readers to different worlds.
In conclusion, "The Canoe" by Isabella Valancy Crawford is a classic piece of literature that is as relevant today as it was when it was first written. It is a beautiful ode to nature, love, and the human spirit. Crawford's use of language and imagery is masterful, and it creates a powerful image in the reader's mind. This poem is a reminder of the beauty of the world around us and the importance of love and reflection.
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