The River
1. I sit on the bank in my special place,
2. Feel the breeze that lifts my hair,
3. And watch the ripples run across the river.
4. It is so peaceful here.
5. Deep enough to justify a fishing pole,
6. Quiet enough for my every thought,
7. The perfect place to contemplate
8. The world and my place in it.
9. Downstream, though, the river changes
10. From the one I know.
11. Its calm flow reaches rocky shallows
12. And starts to caper like a kitten
13. Darting and chasing shadows among the stones.
14. The river leaves the shallows at a run,
15. Rushing faster and faster--
16. A wildcat roaring past steep banks
17. And wild, wet rocks.
18. It claws and crashes in a furious flood,
19. Foaming and sptting as its fury is subdued
20. In the soothing depths of dark, still pools.
21. Tired and tamed by the journey,
22. The river transforms itself again.
23. Its power abates and it seems to move
24. With deliberation, slower and wiser,
25. Past towns that mark its passing and then
26. Go about their buisness.
27. One by one the towns pass by,
28. And the banks give way
29. To borders of salt-smelling mud marsh.
30. Without need for senseless shows od strength.
31. The river relaxes like an aging lion,
32. Done with the hunt and ready for rest.
33. The water slows until
34. A place not too different from mine,
35. Where the water stretches to meet the sky-
36. Where others just like me use mirrored steam
37. To fish and contemplate
38. The world and their place in it.
You have studied narrative and lyric poems in this unit. Which form of poetry is “The River”? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.
I think it's lyric but I need evidence from the poem it's lyric because it doesn't have a plot it's not a story it's giving the readers the authors feelings.
The River
1. I sit on the bank in my special place,
2. Feel the breeze that lifts my hair,
3. And watch the ripples run across the river.
4. It is so peaceful here.
5. Deep enough to justify a fishing pole,
6. Quiet enough for my every thought,
7. The perfect place to contemplate
8. The world and my place in it.
9. Downstream, though, the river changes
10. From the one I know.
11. Its calm flow reaches rocky shallows
12. And starts to caper like a kitten
13. Darting and chasing shadows among the stones.
14. The river leaves the shallows at a run,
15. Rushing faster and faster--
16. A wildcat roaring past steep banks
17. And wild, wet rocks.
18. It claws and crashes in a furious flood,
19. Foaming and sptting as its fury is subdued
20. In the soothing depths of dark, still pools.
21. Tired and tamed by the journey,
22. The river transforms itself again.
23. Its power abates and it seems to move
24. With deliberation, slower and wiser,
25. Past towns that mark its passing and then
26. Go about their buisness.
27. One by one the towns pass by,
28. And the banks give way
29. To borders of salt-smelling mud marsh.
30. Without need for senseless shows od strength.
31. The river relaxes like an aging lion,
32. Done with the hunt and ready for rest.
33. The water slows until
34. A place not too different from mine,
35. Where the water stretches to meet the sky-
36. Where others just like me use mirrored steam
37. To fish and contemplate
38. The world and their place in it.
You have studied narrative and lyric poems in this unit. Which form of poetry is “The River”? Support your answer with evidence from the poem.
I am not sure if it is lyrical or narrative poem.
It's also personal maybe the first stanza is a good example? Because it says "I" implying that it's personal...
Anyone please?
Alright I got that but can you help me find examples?
To determine the form of poetry in "The River," let's examine the characteristics of narrative and lyric poems.
Narrative poems typically tell a story and have a structured plot with various events and characters. They often follow a specific sequence and have a clear beginning, middle, and end. In narrative poems, there is a focus on storytelling and conveying a narrative arc.
On the other hand, lyric poems are more subjective and personal. They emphasize the expression of the poet's emotions, thoughts, or experiences. Lyric poems tend to be shorter and concentrate on capturing a single moment or mood. They often lack a distinct plot or storyline.
Now, let's analyze the poem "The River" in light of these characteristics.
"The River" does not follow a specific plot structure or have a sequence of events that unfold over time. Instead, it portrays the author's personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings about their special place by the river. The poem evokes a sense of tranquility, contemplation, and the connection between the river and the author's thoughts. There is no clear narrative arc or story to be told.
Furthermore, the poem is composed of short, fragmented lines, which is typical of lyric poetry. These lines capture individual moments, emotions, and observations rather than telling a larger story. The focus is on the poet's contemplation, description, and reflection on the river and its different states as they wander through the text.
Based on these observations, the poem "The River" aligns more closely with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
If it tells a story, then it's narrative.
If it's describing something in detail (usually with praise or at least expressing emotions about it), then it's lyric.
http://www.google.com/search?q=define%3A+lyric+poem&oq=define%3A+lyric+poem&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.5393j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8