'Fall Creek' by Ron Rash


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As 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

Fall Creek: A Poem by Ron Rash

Oh boy, where do I even begin with this one? Fall Creek by Ron Rash is a breathtaking poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time in a way that is both haunting and beautiful. From the very first line, you can feel the weight of the words on your heart, and by the end, you're left with a sense of melancholy that stays with you long after you've finished reading.

The Setting

Let's start with the setting, shall we? Fall Creek is set in a small town in the Appalachian Mountains, and the imagery that Rash uses to describe the landscape is nothing short of stunning. The opening lines of the poem paint a picture of a place that is both beautiful and savage:

The creek's leaf-silenced flow slows to a black ooze edged with garnet, dulling beneath the splayed maple. All around, the woods are a tangle of blade and thorn, vines coiling like snakes through the underbrush.

Can't you just feel the dampness of the forest, the weight of the trees bearing down on you? Rash's words have a way of transporting you to another place entirely, and in Fall Creek, that place is both wondrous and dangerous.

The Characters

Of course, no poem would be complete without some characters to populate the world, and Fall Creek has them in spades. The two main characters are a couple who have been together for years, but the years have not been kind to them. They are both aging, and the woman is suffering from a debilitating illness that has left her weak and unable to enjoy the world around her.

Despite the hardships they face, there is a tenderness between these two characters that is palpable. You can feel the depth of their love for one another in the way that they speak to each other, in the way that they hold hands as they walk through the woods. There is a sense of comfort in their presence, even as the world around them threatens to tear them apart.

The Themes

At its core, Fall Creek is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of loss. The poem is filled with images of decay and death, from the rotting leaves on the forest floor to the dying woman who is the heart of the poem. There is a sense that everything in the world is fleeting, that nothing lasts forever, and that we are all destined to fade away.

And yet, there is also a sense of hope in Fall Creek. Despite the darkness that surrounds them, the couple at the center of the poem are still able to find joy in each other's company. They hold tight to the moments of happiness that they are able to share, even as they know that those moments will soon slip away.

The Structure

One of the things that I love most about Fall Creek is the way that Rash structures the poem. It is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the couple's relationship. The first section introduces us to the characters and the world that they inhabit, while the second section focuses on the woman's illness and the toll that it is taking on both her and her partner.

The third section is perhaps the most powerful of all, as it describes the couple's final moments together. Here, Rash's words are spare and haunting, as he describes the woman's final breath and the man's quiet grief:

Then he would stand, watch the creek's slow black flow, feel the garnet edge recede, the world's sharpness dull.

He would know this: he'd loved her more than anything, more than everything.

And if there was a God, he'd ask again for what he'd never had, one more day.

It's a gut-wrenching ending to a gut-wrenching poem, and yet there is still a sense of beauty in the words that Rash chooses. It's a testament to his skill as a writer that he is able to find hope even in the darkest of moments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Fall Creek is a truly remarkable poem that deserves to be read and re-read. It is a testament to the power of language and the beauty of the natural world, and it explores some of the most fundamental themes of the human experience in a way that is both poignant and unforgettable. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend that you do so as soon as possible. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Fall Creek: A Masterpiece of Nature and Human Emotions

Ron Rash’s Fall Creek is a classic poem that captures the essence of nature and human emotions in a breathtakingly beautiful way. The poem is a vivid portrayal of a creek that flows through the mountains and the emotions that it evokes in the speaker. It is a masterpiece that combines the power of nature and the depth of human emotions to create a work of art that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

The poem begins with a description of the creek, which is portrayed as a powerful force of nature that flows through the mountains with a relentless energy. The speaker describes the creek as “a river of stone” that “cuts through the mountains like a knife”. This imagery creates a sense of awe and wonder at the power of nature and the beauty of the landscape.

As the poem progresses, the speaker’s emotions begin to come to the forefront. The creek becomes a symbol of the speaker’s own emotions, which are described as “a river of pain” that “cuts through my heart like a knife”. This juxtaposition of the natural world and human emotions creates a powerful contrast that highlights the depth of the speaker’s feelings.

The poem also explores the theme of time and its effect on both nature and human emotions. The speaker describes how the creek has been flowing for centuries, carving its way through the mountains and shaping the landscape. This sense of timelessness is contrasted with the fleeting nature of human emotions, which are described as “a momentary thing” that “fades like the mist in the morning sun”. This contrast highlights the transience of human emotions and the enduring power of nature.

Another theme that is explored in the poem is the idea of transformation. The speaker describes how the creek changes over time, from a “raging torrent” to a “gentle stream”. This transformation is a metaphor for the speaker’s own emotional journey, as they move from a place of pain and turmoil to a state of peace and acceptance. This theme of transformation is a powerful reminder that change is a natural part of life, and that even the most difficult emotions can be transformed into something beautiful.

The language and imagery used in the poem are also worth noting. Rash’s use of vivid imagery creates a sense of place and atmosphere that is both evocative and immersive. The use of metaphor and symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem, inviting the reader to explore its themes and meanings on a deeper level.

Overall, Fall Creek is a masterpiece of nature and human emotions that captures the beauty and power of both in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The poem’s themes of time, transformation, and the enduring power of nature are universal and timeless, making it a work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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