'The River Of Bees' by W.S. Merwin
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In a dream I returned to the river of bees
Five orange trees by the bridge and
Beside two mills my house
Into whose courtyard a blind man followed
The goats and stood singing
Of what was older
Soon it will be fifteen years
He was old he will have fallen into his eyes
I took my eyes
A long way to the calenders
Room after room asking how shall I live
One of the ends is made of streets
One man processions carry through it
Empty bottles their
Images of hope
It was offered to me by name
Once once and once
In the same city I was born
Asking what shall I say
He will have fallen into his mouth
Men think they are better than grass
I return to his voice rising like a forkful of hay
He was old he is not real nothing is real
Nor the noise of death drawing water
We are the echo of the future
On the door it says what to do to survive
But we were not born to survive
Only to live
Editor 1 Interpretation
The River Of Bees by W.S. Merwin
"Sometimes I can't decide, what do I love more, poetry or nature?" These were my thoughts when I first read W.S. Merwin's poem, The River Of Bees. In this classic poem, the poet has crafted a rich tapestry of imagery, symbolism, and poetic devices that bring to life the beauty and wonder of nature. From the opening lines to the closing stanza, Merwin's words are infused with a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world, and his use of language is both lyrical and evocative.
The Opening Lines
" In a dream I returned to the river of bees Five orange trees by the bridge and Beside two mills my house Into whose courtyard a blindman followed The goats and stood singing Of what was older"
The opening lines of the poem are a masterclass in imagery and symbolism. The speaker begins by describing a dream in which he returns to the "river of bees," a place that is both familiar and mysterious. The use of the word "dream" immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that what follows may not be entirely real. The image of the "river of bees" is both beautiful and eerie, conjuring up images of a river teeming with life but also with danger.
The speaker then goes on to describe five orange trees by the bridge, which serve as a visual anchor for the scene. The orange trees are symbolic of life and vitality, and their presence suggests that the scene is one of renewal and growth.
Beside the orange trees, the speaker describes two mills and his house, which together form a kind of sanctuary within the natural world. The house is a place of safety and security, a retreat from the chaos of the outside world.
The image of the blind man following the goats and singing is a powerful one, suggesting a connection between man and nature that is both mystical and profound. The blind man's song is an ode to the past, a reminder of the ancient traditions and mysteries that are still present in the natural world.
The River Of Bees
"And what he sang was heard by me And what I saw made me weep A river of bees flowed out of his mouth"
The lines "And what he sang was heard by me / And what I saw made me weep / A river of bees flowed out of his mouth" are some of the most evocative in the entire poem. Here, the blind man's song becomes a river of bees, which flows out of his mouth and into the natural world. The image of a river of bees is both beautiful and terrifying, suggesting both the beauty and the danger of the natural world.
The river of bees is also symbolic of the passage of time, as it flows inexorably forward, carrying with it the memories and traditions of the past. The image of the river of bees is both haunting and powerful, evoking a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world.
The Closing Stanza
"In the bee-loud glade to the unforgettable Voices of the spirits of the dead, still harping, A song of bees"
The closing stanza of the poem is a testament to Merwin's skill as a poet. Here, the speaker describes a "bee-loud glade," a place where the voices of the spirits of the dead are still heard. The image of the bee-loud glade is both beautiful and eerie, suggesting a place where the natural world and the supernatural world intersect.
The spirits of the dead are still harping, singing a song of bees that echoes through the glade. The image of the song of bees is both haunting and beautiful, suggesting a kind of natural harmony that exists between the living and the dead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The River Of Bees is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a testament to the power of language and the beauty of the natural world. Merwin's use of imagery, symbolism, and poetic devices is masterful, and his words are infused with a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world. The poem is a celebration of life and the passage of time, a reminder of the ancient traditions and mysteries that are still present in the natural world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The River of Bees: A Masterpiece of Poetry
W.S. Merwin's "The River of Bees" is a classic poem that has captivated readers for decades. This masterpiece of poetry is a beautiful and thought-provoking work that explores the relationship between humans and nature. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem begins with a vivid and striking image of a river of bees. The bees are described as "a braided stream" that flows through the landscape. This image immediately captures the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The river of bees is a powerful symbol of nature's beauty and power, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural world.
As the poem progresses, we see the speaker's relationship with the river of bees evolve. At first, the speaker is simply an observer, watching the bees as they flow past. However, as the poem continues, the speaker becomes more and more connected to the bees and the natural world around them. The speaker begins to see the bees as a part of themselves, and they become one with the river of bees.
The imagery in "The River of Bees" is incredibly powerful and evocative. Merwin's use of language is masterful, and he paints a vivid picture of the natural world. The bees are described as "a golden swarm" that moves "like a continuous flow of molten gold." This imagery is both beautiful and awe-inspiring, and it serves to remind us of the incredible power and beauty of nature.
One of the key themes of "The River of Bees" is the relationship between humans and nature. The poem explores the idea that humans are a part of nature, and that we must learn to live in harmony with the natural world. The speaker's connection with the river of bees serves as a reminder of this relationship, and it encourages us to appreciate and respect the natural world around us.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of transformation. The river of bees is constantly changing and evolving, and the speaker is transformed by their connection to it. The bees themselves are also transformed, as they move from one form to another. This theme of transformation serves as a reminder that change is a natural part of life, and that we must learn to embrace it.
The symbolism in "The River of Bees" is also incredibly powerful. The bees themselves are a symbol of nature's beauty and power, and they represent the interconnectedness of all living things. The river of bees is also a symbol of the natural world, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our environment.
In conclusion, "The River of Bees" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the relationship between humans and nature. The poem is filled with powerful imagery, symbolism, and themes, and it serves as a reminder of the beauty and power of the natural world. As we continue to face environmental challenges, this poem serves as a powerful call to action, encouraging us to appreciate and protect the natural world around us.
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