'Fishing On The Susquehanna In July' by Billy Collins
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I have never been fishing on the Susquehanna
or on any river for that matter
to be perfectly honest.
Not in July or any month
have I had the pleasure -- if it is a pleasure --
of fishing on the Susquehanna.
I am more likely to be found
in a quiet room like this one --
a painting of a woman on the wall,
a bowl of tangerines on the table --
trying to manufacture the sensation
of fishing on the Susquehanna.
There is little doubt
that others have been fishing
on the Susquehanna,
rowing upstream in a wooden boat,
sliding the oars under the water
then raising them to drip in the light.
But the nearest I have ever come to
fishing on the Susquehanna
was one afternoon in a museum in Philadelphia,
when I balanced a little egg of time
in front of a painting
in which that river curled around a bend
under a blue cloud-ruffled sky,
dense trees along the banks,
and a fellow with a red bandana
sitting in a small, green
flat-bottom boat
holding the thin whip of a pole.
That is something I am unlikely
ever to do, I remember
saying to myself and the person next to me.
Then I blinked and moved on
to other American scenes
of haystacks, water whitening over rocks,
even one of a brown hare
who seemed so wired with alertness
I imagined him springing right out of the frame.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Fishing On The Susquehanna In July: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, what a delightful poem! Fishing on The Susquehanna in July by Billy Collins is a work of art that leaves the reader feeling refreshed and fulfilled. The poem is a beautiful depiction of the beauty of nature, and the power of simple pleasures to awaken the soul.
Collins is a master of language, and his poem is full of vivid imagery and sensory details that transport the reader to the banks of the Susquehanna. The poem is a reflection on the beauty of the natural world, and the joy that can be found in simple pleasures.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with a description of the scene: "I have never been fishing on the Susquehanna or on any river for that matter/ to be perfectly honest." This opening line is a great example of Collins' dry sense of humor. He is poking fun at himself, and his readers, for not having experienced the beauty of the Susquehanna.
The poem is written in free verse, which allows Collins to create a relaxed and conversational tone. His language is simple and unpretentious, but at the same time, it is incredibly evocative. He uses sensory details to describe the scene, and his words create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
In the second stanza, Collins describes the beauty of the river: "the water is wide and slow, almost a steady current/ and the brown boats move by superciliously." The use of the word "superciliously" is particularly effective here. It conveys the arrogance of the boats, as if they are aware of their own beauty and are flaunting it.
The third stanza continues the theme of the beauty of the natural world: "they do not hurry, they do not/ sound anything extra." The use of the word "extra" here is interesting. It implies that there is a beauty in simplicity, and that the boats do not need to do anything special to be beautiful. They are beautiful in their own way, just by existing.
In the fourth stanza, Collins shifts his focus to the fishermen: "they are moving too slowly for the river/ they are fishing in the middle of the stream/ and...they are letting the bait drift down/ in the true meaning of the word, patience." The contrast between the slow-moving boats and the even slower-moving fishermen highlights the idea of patience. The fishermen are willing to take their time, to wait for the fish to come to them.
In the fifth stanza, Collins again emphasizes the beauty of the natural world: "the sun is warm and high in the sky/ I hope no one ever bombs it." This line is a commentary on the fragility of the natural world. Collins is expressing a desire to preserve the beauty of the world and protect it from destruction.
The sixth and final stanza is a reflection on the power of simple pleasures: "in the shadows of the river bank/ by the deep hole/ where the fish are sleeping/ we wait patiently/ for the sound of a bite." This stanza sums up the theme of the poem. Collins is showing us that there is beauty and joy to be found in the simple act of fishing.
Interpretation of the Poem
Fishing on The Susquehanna in July is a celebration of the beauty of the natural world and the power of simple pleasures. Collins is reminding us that we don't need to go on an extravagant vacation or spend a lot of money to find joy and contentment. The simple act of fishing, of being in nature and enjoying the beauty around us, can be enough.
The poem is also a commentary on the importance of patience. In our fast-paced society, we are often in a hurry to get things done. We want instant gratification and we don't like to wait. But fishing requires patience. It requires us to slow down, to take our time, and to wait for the fish to come to us. By doing so, we can learn to appreciate the beauty of the natural world and find joy in the simple act of waiting.
Finally, the poem is a call to action. Collins is urging us to take care of the natural world and to protect it from destruction. The line "I hope no one ever bombs it" is a reminder that the natural world is fragile and we need to do everything we can to preserve it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fishing on The Susquehanna in July is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the power of simple pleasures. Collins' use of vivid imagery and sensory details creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind, and his message of patience and conservation is as timely now as it was when the poem was first written.
So, my dear reader, the next time you find yourself feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take a moment to read this poem and remember the beauty of the natural world. And if you get the chance, go fishing on the Susquehanna. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Fishing On The Susquehanna In July: A Poem Analysis
Billy Collins, a renowned American poet, has written a beautiful poem titled "Fishing On The Susquehanna In July." The poem is a perfect example of how a poet can capture the essence of a moment and turn it into a timeless piece of art. In this analysis, we will explore the poem's themes, literary devices, and the poet's message.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene of two men fishing on the Susquehanna River in July. The speaker sets the tone of the poem by describing the river as "a mile wide and shivering with shoals." The use of the word "shivering" creates an image of the river's surface trembling, which is a beautiful metaphor for the river's movement. The speaker then goes on to describe the two men fishing, one of whom is smoking a cigar, while the other is "tying a fly onto a leader with the patience of a man who has no more urgent task at hand." The speaker's description of the two men fishing creates an image of calmness and tranquility, which is a stark contrast to the fast-paced world we live in today.
The poem's first theme is the beauty of nature. The speaker describes the river as "a mile wide," which emphasizes the vastness of nature. The use of the word "shivering" to describe the river's movement is a beautiful metaphor that captures the river's essence. The speaker also describes the "green water" and the "trees that have grown along the banks for centuries." The use of these descriptions creates an image of a serene and untouched natural environment. The poem's theme of the beauty of nature is further emphasized by the speaker's description of the two men fishing. The men are not in a hurry, and they are not concerned with the outside world. They are content with the beauty of nature and the simple act of fishing.
The poem's second theme is the passage of time. The speaker describes the trees along the riverbank as "centuries old." This description emphasizes the idea that nature is timeless and that it will continue to exist long after we are gone. The speaker also describes the two men fishing as "men from the city," which suggests that they are taking a break from their busy lives to enjoy the beauty of nature. The poem's theme of the passage of time is further emphasized by the speaker's description of the fish that the men catch. The speaker describes the fish as "small and silver," which suggests that they are young and have not yet lived long enough to experience the passage of time.
The poem's third theme is the importance of simplicity. The speaker describes the two men fishing as being content with the simple act of fishing. They are not concerned with the outside world, and they are not in a hurry. They are content with the beauty of nature and the simple act of fishing. The poem's theme of the importance of simplicity is further emphasized by the speaker's description of the fish that the men catch. The fish are small and silver, which suggests that they are not valuable or rare. The men are content with catching these small fish, and they do not need anything more.
The poem's literary devices are also worth noting. The use of metaphors, such as "shivering with shoals," creates a vivid image of the river's movement. The use of personification, such as "the trees that have grown along the banks for centuries," creates an image of the trees as living beings. The use of alliteration, such as "tying a fly onto a leader with the patience of a man," creates a musical quality to the poem. The use of imagery, such as "green water" and "small and silver fish," creates a vivid image of the natural environment.
In conclusion, "Fishing On The Susquehanna In July" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of a moment in time. The poem's themes of the beauty of nature, the passage of time, and the importance of simplicity are all relevant today. The poem's literary devices create a vivid image of the natural environment and the two men fishing. Billy Collins has created a timeless piece of art that reminds us of the importance of taking a break from our busy lives and enjoying the beauty of nature.
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