'The End Of March' by Elizabeth Bishop

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For John Malcolm Brinnin and Bill Read: Duxbury


It was cold and windy, scarcely the day
to take a walk on that long beach
Everything was withdrawn as far as possible,
indrawn: the tide far out, the ocean shrunken,
seabirds in ones or twos.
The rackety, icy, offshore wind
numbed our faces on one side;
disrupted the formation
of a lone flight of Canada geese;
and blew back the low, inaudible rollers
in upright, steely mist.

The sky was darker than the water
--it was the color of mutton-fat jade.
Along the wet sand, in rubber boots, we followed
a track of big dog-prints (so big
they were more like lion-prints). Then we came on
lengths and lengths, endless, of wet white string,
looping up to the tide-line, down to the water,
over and over. Finally, they did end:
a thick white snarl, man-size, awash,
rising on every wave, a sodden ghost,
falling back, sodden, giving up the ghost...
A kite string?--But no kite.

I wanted to get as far as my proto-dream-house,
my crypto-dream-house, that crooked box
set up on pilings, shingled green,
a sort of artichoke of a house, but greener
(boiled with bicarbonate of soda?),
protected from spring tides by a palisade
of--are they railroad ties?
(Many things about this place are dubious.)
I'd like to retire there and do nothing,
or nothing much, forever, in two bare rooms:
look through binoculars, read boring books,
old, long, long books, and write down useless notes,
talk to myself, and, foggy days,
watch the droplets slipping, heavy with light.
At night, a grog a l'américaine.
I'd blaze it with a kitchen match
and lovely diaphanous blue flame
would waver, doubled in the window.
There must be a stove; there is a chimney,
askew, but braced with wires,
and electricity, possibly
--at least, at the back another wire
limply leashes the whole affair
to something off behind the dunes.
A light to read by--perfect! But--impossible.
And that day the wind was much too cold
even to get that far,
and of course the house was boarded up.

On the way back our faces froze on the other side.
The sun came out for just a minute.
For just a minute, set in their bezels of sand,
the drab, damp, scattered stones
were multi-colored,
and all those high enough threw out long shadows,
individual shadows, then pulled them in again.
They could have been teasing the lion sun,
except that now he was behind them
--a sun who'd walked the beach the last low tide,
making those big, majestic paw-prints,
who perhaps had batted a kite out of the sky to play with.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Detailed Analysis of Elizabeth Bishop's The End of March

Elizabeth Bishop's The End of March is a poem that paints a vivid image of the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The poem is filled with rich imagery and symbolism that captures the essence of the changing seasons. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at Bishop's use of language and imagery, as well as the deeper themes and meanings that underlie the poem.

The Poem

Before diving into the analysis, let's first take a look at the poem in its entirety:

The birds begin at five o'clock: "It is the season to sing," they congregate and chatter in the alders dashing up and down, fluttering in confusion. It is too early for flowers, but here are small green things that can only be seen this time of year, and heard, if at all, in the gusts of March wind. The sun sets behind the mountain and the crows go home.

The Language and Imagery

The first thing that stands out in The End of March is Bishop's use of language and imagery. The poem is rich with sensory details that transport the reader to the scene. Bishop uses vivid verbs and adjectives to paint a picture of the birds "congregating" and "chattering" in the alders, "dashing up and down," and "fluttering in confusion." The reader can almost hear the birds chirping and see them flitting about in the trees.

Bishop also uses imagery to describe the small green things that can be seen and heard in the gusts of March wind. The reader can imagine these small buds and shoots just beginning to emerge from the ground after a long winter, and hear the rustling of the wind as it blows through them.

Finally, Bishop's description of the sun setting behind the mountain and the crows going home creates a sense of closure and finality to the poem. The end of winter and the beginning of spring is a time of transition, and Bishop captures this beautifully with her words.

Themes and Meanings

While the language and imagery in The End of March are certainly beautiful, there are deeper themes and meanings that underlie the poem. One of the main themes is the cyclical nature of life and the changing of the seasons. Winter gives way to spring, and spring to summer, in an endless cycle of birth, growth, and decay.

Another theme in the poem is the idea of renewal and rebirth. The small green things that Bishop describes can be seen as a metaphor for new life emerging after a long period of dormancy. Just as the plants and trees come back to life in the spring, so too can people experience a renewed sense of energy and purpose after a difficult period of time.

Finally, The End of March can also be read as a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The sun sets behind the mountain, and the crows go home, signaling the end of one day and the beginning of the next. The changing of the seasons is a reminder that time moves forward, whether we like it or not, and that we must learn to adapt to the changes that come with it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Elizabeth Bishop's The End of March is a beautifully crafted poem that captures the essence of the changing seasons. Bishop's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of the birds, the small green things, and the setting sun. But beyond the beauty of the poem, there are deeper themes and meanings that speak to the cyclical nature of life, the idea of renewal and rebirth, and the passage of time. Overall, The End of March is a poem that reminds us of the beauty and inevitability of change, and encourages us to embrace it with open arms.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The End of March: A Masterpiece of Elizabeth Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her unique style of writing that captures the essence of nature and human emotions. Her poem "The End of March" is a classic example of her mastery of language and imagery. In this 14-line poem, Bishop describes the transition from winter to spring and the beauty that comes with it. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.

The poem begins with the line, "The birds begin to sing." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, signaling the arrival of spring and the renewal of life. The use of the word "begin" suggests that this is just the start of something, and there is more to come. The next line, "And the crocus, poking its head up through the snow," reinforces this idea of new life emerging from the cold, harsh winter.

The imagery in this poem is vivid and evocative. Bishop uses sensory details to paint a picture of the changing season. For example, she describes the "smell of wet earth" and the "sound of water coming off the roofs." These details help the reader to imagine the scene and feel as if they are there, experiencing the transition from winter to spring.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the "black, naked trees." This image is both beautiful and haunting, suggesting the starkness of winter and the vulnerability of nature. The use of the word "naked" is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of exposure and vulnerability. This image is contrasted with the image of the "green buds" that are beginning to appear on the trees, signaling the arrival of spring.

The poem also explores the theme of change and transformation. Bishop describes how the "icy fields begin to thaw" and the "mud" begins to appear. These changes are not always pleasant, but they are necessary for new life to emerge. The poem suggests that change is a natural part of life and that we must embrace it in order to grow and thrive.

The language in this poem is simple and direct, yet it is also rich and evocative. Bishop uses a variety of literary devices, such as alliteration and repetition, to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, she repeats the phrase "begin to" several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement.

Overall, "The End of March" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of spring and the beauty of nature. Bishop's use of vivid imagery and sensory details helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood, while her simple yet evocative language conveys a sense of wonder and awe. This poem is a testament to Bishop's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the world around us.

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