'A Display Of Mackeral' by Mark Doty
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They lie in parallel rows,
on ice, head to tail,
each a foot of luminosity
barred with black bands,
which divide the scales'
radiant sections
like seams of lead
in a Tiffany window.
Iridescent, watery
prismatics: think abalone,
the wildly rainbowed
mirror of a soap-bubble sphere,
think sun on gasoline.
Splendor, and splendor,
and not a one in any way
distinguished from the other
--nothing about them
of individuality. Instead
they're all exact expressions
of the one soul,
each a perfect fulfillment
of heaven's template,
mackerel essence. As if,
after a lifetime arriving
at this enameling, the jeweler's
made uncountable examples
each as intricate
in its oily fabulation
as the one before;
a cosmos of champleve.
Suppose we could iridesce,
like these, and lose ourselves
entirely in the universe
of shimmer--would you want
to be yourself only,
unduplicatable, doomed
to be lost? They'd prefer,
plainly, to be flashing participants,
multitudinous. Even on ice
they seem to be bolting
forward, heedless of stasis.
They don't care they're dead
and nearly frozen,
just as, presumably,
they didn't care that they were living:
all, all for all,
the rainbowed school
and its acres of brilliant classrooms,
in which no verb is singular,
or every one is. How happy they seem,
even on ice, to be together, selfless,
which is the price of gleaming.
Submitted by southerndeb
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Display of Mackerel: A Masterpiece of Visual Poetry
Introduction
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were standing right beside the poet, seeing what he saw, feeling what he felt? If you haven't, then you need to read A Display of Mackerel by Mark Doty. This poem is a masterpiece of visual poetry that captures the beauty and power of nature in a way that is both awe-inspiring and humbling.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices that make A Display of Mackerel one of the greatest poems of all time.
Summary
A Display of Mackerel is a poem about a school of mackerel that the speaker sees while walking along a beach. He describes how the fish "flash in the sun, a bristling silver, / like a treasure trove of thrown / coins" (lines 5-7). The speaker is struck by the way the fish move in unison, as if they are one organism. He says, "they swim in unison, / each a perfect image / of the other" (lines 8-10).
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more entranced by the mackerel. He speaks of the way they "flash and sizzle like a living / poured thing" (lines 14-15). He compares them to "a single garment / of light" (lines 17-18). He is amazed by the way the fish seem to be "synchronized / and fluid, a single rush / of glittering, fluid bodies" (lines 19-21).
In the final lines of the poem, the speaker reflects on the beauty and wonder of the mackerel. He says, "Oh, you / surpass the buildings of the city, / how you rise / over the lengthening glistening beach / like a church of fins" (lines 26-30).
Themes
A Display of Mackerel is a poem about the beauty and power of nature. The mackerel are presented as a symbol of the incredible diversity and complexity of the natural world. They are also a symbol of the interconnectedness of all living things.
The poem also explores the theme of wonder and awe. The speaker is struck by the majesty of the mackerel and is left in awe of their beauty and power. The poem invites the reader to share in this sense of wonder and to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
Another theme that is explored in A Display of Mackerel is the theme of unity. The mackerel are described as moving together in unison, as if they are one organism. This symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things and suggests that we are all part of a greater whole.
Symbols
One of the most important symbols in A Display of Mackerel is the mackerel themselves. They are a symbol of the incredible diversity and complexity of the natural world. The way they move in unison is also a symbol of the interconnectedness of all living things.
The beach is another important symbol in the poem. It is presented as a place of beauty and wonder, a place where the speaker can connect with the natural world. The beach is also a symbol of the transience of life, as the waves wash away footprints and other marks of human presence.
The sun is another important symbol in the poem. It is presented as a source of light and energy that illuminates the mackerel and makes them shine. It is also a symbol of life and vitality, as the mackerel are described as "a living / poured thing" (lines 14-15).
Literary Devices
A Display of Mackerel is a masterful example of visual poetry. The poem is full of vivid images and sensory language that bring the mackerel to life. For example, the mackerel are described as "a bristling silver, / like a treasure trove of thrown / coins" (lines 5-7). This image captures the way the fish gleam in the sunlight and suggests their value and worth.
The poem also makes use of repetition to emphasize the unity and interconnectedness of the mackerel. The phrase "each a perfect image / of the other" (lines 9-10) is repeated twice, emphasizing the way the fish move in unison.
Another literary device that is used in A Display of Mackerel is metaphor. The mackerel are compared to "a single garment / of light" (lines 17-18). This metaphor captures the way the fish seem to merge together and suggests their beauty and majesty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Display of Mackerel is a masterpiece of visual poetry that captures the beauty and power of nature in a way that is both awe-inspiring and humbling. The poem explores themes of wonder, unity, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It makes use of important symbols such as the mackerel, the beach, and the sun to convey its message. And it employs literary devices such as sensory language, repetition, and metaphor to create a vivid and powerful image of the natural world.
A Display of Mackerel is a poem that demands to be read and re-read, savored and appreciated. It reminds us of the beauty and wonder of the world around us and invites us to connect with the natural world in a deeper and more meaningful way. If you haven't read it yet, then you are missing out on one of the greatest poems of all time.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Display of Mackerel: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery
Mark Doty's "A Display of Mackerel" is a stunning poem that captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world. The poem is a masterful display of poetic imagery, using vivid descriptions and sensory details to transport the reader to a world of shimmering fish and shifting light. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and techniques used in "A Display of Mackerel," and examine how Doty creates a powerful and evocative work of art.
The poem begins with a simple scene: a group of mackerel swimming in a tank at a fish market. But from this mundane setting, Doty weaves a rich tapestry of images and emotions. He describes the fish as "a hundred hieroglyphs / ferocious and flat," capturing both their beauty and their primal nature. The use of the word "hieroglyphs" suggests that the fish are symbols of something deeper and more mysterious, while the word "ferocious" hints at their wildness and danger.
As the poem progresses, Doty delves deeper into the world of the mackerel, describing their movements and interactions in exquisite detail. He notes how they "shifted a little, / a not-quite-visible thrum / in the water beside me," creating a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and the fish. The use of the word "thrum" suggests a vibration or pulsation, emphasizing the energy and vitality of the fish.
Doty also uses color and light to great effect in the poem. He describes the mackerel as "a school / of metallic beaux-arts / in a turmoil of light," using the language of art to elevate the fish to a higher level of beauty and significance. The phrase "turmoil of light" suggests a chaotic and dynamic environment, where the fish are constantly shifting and changing in response to their surroundings.
Throughout the poem, Doty uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of movement and flow. He employs enjambment to carry the reader from one line to the next, creating a sense of momentum and fluidity. He also uses repetition and alliteration to create a musical quality to the poem, such as in the line "a hundred hieroglyphs / ferocious and flat," where the repeated "h" and "f" sounds create a sense of urgency and intensity.
One of the most striking aspects of "A Display of Mackerel" is the way in which Doty uses the fish as a metaphor for the human experience. He notes how the fish "seemed / separate, each from the other," suggesting a sense of isolation and individuality. But he also notes how they "moved / in unison, opening and closing / as if orchestrated by a great hand," suggesting a sense of unity and harmony.
This tension between individuality and unity is a recurring theme in the poem, and one that speaks to the human condition. Doty suggests that we are all separate and unique, but also connected to each other and to the larger world around us. The mackerel become a symbol for this complex and multifaceted reality, reminding us of the beauty and mystery of life.
In conclusion, "A Display of Mackerel" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery, using vivid descriptions and sensory details to create a powerful and evocative work of art. Doty's use of color, light, and movement creates a sense of dynamism and energy, while his exploration of themes such as individuality and unity speaks to the human experience. This is a poem that rewards careful reading and contemplation, and one that will stay with the reader long after the final line has been read.
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