'Fall Creek' by Ron Rash

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Raising the Dead2002As though shedding an old skin,
Fall Creek slips free from fall's weight,
clots of leaves blackening snags,
back of pool where years ago
local lore claims clothes were shed
by a man and woman wed
less than a month, who let hoe
and plow handle slip from hands,
left rows half done, crossed dark waves
of bottomland to lie on
a bed of ferns, make a child,
and all the while the woman
stretching both arms behind her
over the bank, hands swaying
wrist-deep in current-perhaps
some old wives' tale, water's pulse
pulsing what seed might be sown,
or just her need to let go
the world awhile, let the creek
wash away every burden
her life had carried so far,
open a room for this new
becoming as her body
flowed around her man like water.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty and Tragedy of Fall Creek: A Literary Criticism of Ron Rash's Poems

Poetry is a form of art that emphasizes the use of language and imagery to evoke emotions and convey messages. It enables readers to experience and appreciate the beauty of life, the complexities of human nature, and the power of imagination. Ron Rash, a contemporary American poet, novelist, and short story writer, is known for his ability to capture the essence of Appalachian life, its people, and its landscape through his vivid and poignant poetry. One of his most memorable poems is Fall Creek, which tells the story of a tragic event that changes the lives of two boys forever. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes, symbols, and stylistic devices that Rash employs in Fall Creek to convey his message about loss, guilt, and the harsh realities of life.

The Plot and Setting of Fall Creek

Fall Creek is a narrative poem that tells the story of two boys, Hank and Roy, who go fishing in a creek near their home in the Appalachian Mountains. The poem is set in the late 1960s or early 1970s, a time when rural communities in the United States were undergoing profound changes due to industrialization, modernization, and social upheavals. The creek is described as a place of beauty and serenity, surrounded by green forests, rocks, and crystal-clear water that reflects the sky like a mirror. The boys are excited and happy to be there, enjoying the warmth of the sun on their skin, the sound of the water rushing over the stones, and the thrill of catching fish. However, their idyllic day turns into a nightmare when Roy accidentally falls into the water and starts drowning. Hank tries to save him, but he fails, and Roy dies in his arms. The poem ends with Hank's realization that he cannot escape the guilt and pain of what happened, and he must face the consequences of his actions.

The Themes of Fall Creek

The primary theme of Fall Creek is loss, specifically the loss of innocence, friendship, and life. Rash portrays the boys' experience as a shattering event that changes the trajectory of their lives forever. The poem shows how they go from being carefree and innocent children to traumatized and guilt-ridden young men. The loss of Roy's life also affects their friendship, causing them to drift apart and lose touch with each other. The poem highlights the fragility of human life and the impact that a single moment of carelessness or misfortune can have on it.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is guilt, especially the guilt that arises from the sense of responsibility for someone else's death. Rash depicts Hank as a character who is unable to escape the weight of his guilt, even though he did everything in his power to save Roy. The poem shows how guilt can consume a person's thoughts and emotions, leading to self-blame, shame, and despair. Hank's experience illustrates the moral dilemma that arises when one tries to balance the desire to do the right thing with the reality of human fallibility and the unpredictability of life.

A third theme that is present in the poem is the harsh realities of life in rural Appalachia. Rash portrays the boys as products of their environment, shaped by the poverty, isolation, and social norms of their community. The poem shows how their lives are circumscribed by the limitations of their economic and cultural conditions, as well as by the natural beauty and dangers of their surroundings. The creek, which is both a symbol of purity and a source of danger, represents the paradoxical nature of their existence, where beauty and tragedy coexist in equal measure.

The Symbols and Stylistic Devices of Fall Creek

Rash's use of symbols and stylistic devices in Fall Creek enhances the emotional impact of the poem and reinforces its themes. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the creek itself, which represents the natural beauty and danger of the boys' surroundings. The creek is described as a place of peace and tranquility, where the boys can escape the harshness of their lives and enjoy the beauty of nature. However, it is also a place of danger, where accidents can happen, and life can be lost in an instant. The creek symbolizes the duality of life in rural Appalachia, where the beauty of the land is offset by its harshness and unpredictability.

Another symbol that Rash uses in the poem is the fish that the boys catch. The fish represent the boys' innocent playfulness and their connection to nature. The act of catching fish is a metaphor for the boys' attempt to find meaning and purpose in their lives, to escape the mundane reality of poverty and isolation. However, the fish also symbolize the fragility and vulnerability of life, as they are easily caught and killed. The fish represent the boys' innocence and their sense of wonder, as well as their ultimate mortality.

Rash also employs several stylistic devices in Fall Creek to enhance the emotional impact of the poem. One of these devices is the use of imagery, which creates a vivid and sensory experience for the reader. The description of the creek, the sun, and the fish, for example, evokes a sense of beauty and serenity that contrasts with the tragedy that follows. The use of sensory language also enhances the emotional impact of Hank's experience, as we feel his pain, guilt, and despair through the words that Rash chooses.

Another stylistic device that Rash employs in the poem is the use of repetition, specifically repetition of certain phrases and words. For example, the phrase "in the shade of the sycamore" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and familiarity. The repetition of the word "fall" also reinforces the theme of loss, as it is associated with both the fall of Roy into the water and the fall of his life. The use of repetition creates a rhythmic and musical quality to the poem, which adds to its emotional impact.

Conclusion

Fall Creek is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the beauty and tragedy of life in rural Appalachia. Through its vivid imagery, powerful symbols, and masterful use of language, Rash conveys a message about loss, guilt, and the harsh realities of life. The poem reminds us of the fragility and vulnerability of human life, and the impact that a single moment of misfortune can have on it. It also highlights the moral dilemma that arises when one tries to do the right thing, even when the outcome is beyond our control. Fall Creek is a masterpiece of contemporary poetry that deserves to be read and appreciated by readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Fall Creek: A Masterpiece of Ron Rash

Ron Rash is a renowned American poet, novelist, and short story writer. He has won numerous awards for his literary works, including the O. Henry Prize and the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award. One of his most celebrated poems is "Poetry Fall Creek," which was first published in 2005. This poem is a masterpiece of modern American poetry, and it has been widely praised for its vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and haunting beauty. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbols, and literary devices.

The poem "Poetry Fall Creek" is a lyrical meditation on the beauty and fragility of nature, and the human desire to connect with it. The poem is set in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, where Rash grew up, and it evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of this rugged and wild landscape. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the natural world.

The first stanza of the poem introduces us to the setting of the poem, which is Fall Creek, a small stream that flows through the mountains. The stanza begins with the line "Fall Creek falls and twists," which immediately creates a sense of movement and energy. The use of the word "falls" suggests a waterfall or cascade, while the word "twists" implies a winding and meandering path. The next line, "through laurel and rhododendron," introduces us to the vegetation that surrounds the creek. Laurel and rhododendron are both common plants in the Appalachian Mountains, and they are known for their dense foliage and colorful flowers. The use of these specific plants helps to create a sense of place and to ground the poem in a specific location.

The second stanza of the poem focuses on the animals that inhabit the creek and its surroundings. The stanza begins with the line "Copperheads slide by rocks," which immediately creates a sense of danger and menace. Copperheads are venomous snakes that are common in the Appalachian Mountains, and their presence adds a sense of tension and unease to the poem. The next line, "black snakes chase mottled trout," introduces us to the predator-prey relationships that exist in the natural world. The image of a black snake chasing a trout is both vivid and unsettling, and it suggests the brutal and unforgiving nature of life in the wild. The final line of the stanza, "and a kingfisher cries above," introduces us to a more peaceful and serene aspect of the natural world. Kingfishers are birds that are known for their distinctive call and their ability to catch fish from the water. The image of a kingfisher crying above the creek suggests a sense of harmony and balance, and it provides a contrast to the violence and aggression of the previous lines.

The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the human presence in the natural world. The stanza begins with the line "I think of my father, carrying me on his shoulders," which introduces us to the speaker's personal connection to the landscape. The image of a father carrying his child on his shoulders is a powerful symbol of love and protection, and it suggests a deep emotional bond between the speaker and his father. The next line, "to the cedar tree where a boy could see," introduces us to a specific location in the landscape. The cedar tree is a symbol of stability and endurance, and it suggests a sense of permanence in the midst of the ever-changing natural world. The final line of the stanza, "out over the water, and beyond," suggests a sense of longing and yearning, as the speaker looks out over the creek and imagines what lies beyond.

The final stanza of the poem brings together the themes and images of the previous stanzas, and it offers a powerful meditation on the beauty and fragility of the natural world. The stanza begins with the line "I think of poetry at times like this," which suggests that the speaker sees the natural world as a source of inspiration and wonder. The next line, "as something a miner might bring up," introduces a metaphor that compares poetry to a precious and valuable resource that must be extracted from the earth. The image of a miner digging deep into the earth to find something of value suggests the effort and dedication required to create great poetry.

The final lines of the poem offer a haunting and beautiful image of the natural world:

"Something that gleamed in the dark and would never be touched."

These lines suggest the elusive and intangible nature of beauty and wonder in the natural world. The image of something gleaming in the dark suggests a sense of mystery and magic, while the idea that it can never be touched suggests a sense of longing and loss. The final lines of the poem leave the reader with a sense of awe and wonder, as well as a deep appreciation for the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

In conclusion, "Poetry Fall Creek" is a masterpiece of modern American poetry, and it offers a powerful meditation on the beauty and fragility of the natural world. Through its vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and haunting beauty, the poem invites us to connect with the landscape and to appreciate the wonder and mystery of the world around us. Ron Rash has created a work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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