'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 luminositybarred with black bands,
which divide the scales'
radiant sectionslike seams of lead
in a Tiffany window.
Iridescent, wateryprismatics: think abalone,
the wildly rainbowed
mirror of a soap-bubble sphere,think sun on gasoline.
Splendor, and splendor,and not a one in any waydistinguished from the other
--nothing about them
of individuality. Insteadthey're all exact expressions
of the one soul,
each a perfect fulfillmentof heaven's template,
mackerel essence. As if,after a lifetime arrivingat this enameling, the jeweler's
made uncountable examples
each as intricatein its oily fabulation
as the one before;
a cosmos of champleve.Suppose we could iridesce,
like these, and lose ourselves
entirely in the universeof shimmer--would you want
to be yourself only,
unduplicatable, doomedto be lost? They'd prefer,
plainly, to be flashing participants,
multitudinous. Even on icethey seem to be bolting
forward, heedless of stasis.
They don't care they're deadand 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.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, A Display Of Mackeral by Mark Doty
Introduction
"Poetry, A Display Of Mackeral" is a magnificent and captivating poem written by Mark Doty. In this poem, he uses the imagery of a school of mackerel to portray the beauty and complexity of poetry. The poem is a celebration of language and its ability to evoke emotions and create vivid mental pictures. Doty's use of descriptive language and metaphorical imagery is masterful, and he creates a powerful atmosphere that transports the reader into the world of the poem.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene where he sees a school of mackerel swimming in a tank. He observes the way the fish move, "like a subsurface carnival," and the way their colors change as they glide through the water. Doty's use of vivid descriptions immediately draws the reader into the world of the poem. The imagery of the fish creates a sense of movement, and the use of the word "carnival" suggests a sense of playfulness and excitement.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to draw parallels between the mackerel and poetry. He states that "each one a squirming iridescence," which is reminiscent of the way that poetry can be difficult to grasp and contain. Just as the mackerel move quickly and unpredictably, poetry can be elusive and hard to define.
However, the speaker also notes that the mackerel are "a hundred hieroglyphs/ in the tight compression of one initial glare." This suggests that although the mackerel may be difficult to understand at first glance, there is a deeper meaning to be found in their movements and colors. Similarly, poetry may be difficult to understand at first, but with closer examination and contemplation, it can reveal deeper truths and meanings.
The speaker then goes on to describe the way that the mackerel move in unison, creating a sense of harmony and coordination. This is a metaphor for the way that poetry can bring together seemingly disparate elements and create a sense of unity and wholeness.
Doty also uses the imagery of light to create a sense of magic and wonder in the poem. He describes the way that "the water/ shivers with a sparkling sonata/ in which no silent note is played." This suggests a sense of music and rhythm, and the use of "sparkling" creates a sense of magic and wonder.
Towards the end of the poem, the speaker acknowledges the inherent complexity of both mackerel and poetry. He describes how "even the densest canvas/ would be brushed utterly clear/ by their adamant approach." This suggests that the mackerel and poetry are both capable of cutting through even the most complex and layered of subjects, revealing truths that may have been hidden before.
The poem concludes with the speaker observing the way that the mackerel seem to disappear into the depths of the tank, leaving behind only a sense of wonder and beauty. This is a metaphor for the way that poetry can leave a lasting impression on the reader, even after the words themselves have faded away.
Interpretation
"Poetry, A Display Of Mackeral" is a poem about the beauty and complexity of language. Doty uses the imagery of a school of mackerel to create a sense of movement, rhythm, and harmony that is reminiscent of poetry itself. Through his use of metaphorical language, he shows how poetry can be difficult to understand at first, but with closer examination, it can reveal deeper truths and meanings.
The poem also suggests that poetry has the ability to create a sense of unity and wholeness, bringing together seemingly disparate elements into one cohesive whole. This is a powerful message about the potential of language to connect people and bridge divides.
Finally, the poem recognizes the inherent complexity and mystery of both mackerel and poetry. Doty acknowledges that both are capable of cutting through even the most complex of subjects, revealing truths that may have been hidden before. This suggests that both mackerel and poetry are important tools for exploring and understanding the world around us.
Conclusion
"Poetry, A Display Of Mackeral" is a powerful and captivating poem that celebrates the beauty and complexity of language. Through his use of metaphorical language and vivid imagery, Doty creates a sense of movement, rhythm, and harmony that is reminiscent of poetry itself. The poem suggests that poetry has the ability to bring together seemingly disparate elements, creating a sense of unity and wholeness. It also recognizes the inherent complexity and mystery of both mackerel and poetry, suggesting that both are important tools for exploring and understanding the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry A Display Of Mackeral: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Metaphor
Mark Doty's "A Display of Mackeral" is a stunning poem that captures the beauty and complexity of the natural world. The poem is a masterful display of imagery and metaphor, and it takes the reader on a journey through the ocean, exploring the depths of the sea and the creatures that inhabit it.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the mackerel, a fish that is known for its shimmering scales and its ability to swim in large schools. Doty describes the mackerel as "a school of glittering fish" that move "like a single piece of fabric" through the water. This image is both beautiful and mesmerizing, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
As the poem progresses, Doty delves deeper into the world of the ocean, exploring the various creatures that live there. He describes the "jellyfish, translucent and delicate" that "float like flowers of the sea" and the "sharks, sleek and muscular" that "slice through the water like knives." These descriptions are not only visually stunning, but they also give the reader a sense of the power and majesty of the ocean.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way that Doty uses metaphor to describe the ocean and its inhabitants. He compares the mackerel to "a disco ball" and the jellyfish to "flowers of the sea." These comparisons are unexpected and creative, and they add a layer of depth and complexity to the poem.
Another powerful metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the ocean to a cathedral. Doty writes, "the ocean's shifting floor is like the floor of heaven, / although heaven, which is perfect, is nowhere / you can find it." This comparison is both beautiful and poignant, and it speaks to the mystery and wonder of the natural world.
Throughout the poem, Doty also explores the theme of mortality. He writes, "the mackerel are gone, / their sleek bodies / gone to the world - / all flesh is grass." This line is a reminder that all living things are temporary, and that even the most beautiful and powerful creatures will eventually pass away.
Despite the theme of mortality, however, the poem is ultimately a celebration of life and the natural world. Doty writes, "the world / is full of life, and full of beauty." This line is a reminder that even in the face of death and loss, there is still so much to appreciate and admire in the world around us.
In conclusion, "A Display of Mackeral" is a masterpiece of imagery and metaphor. Doty's descriptions of the ocean and its inhabitants are both beautiful and powerful, and his use of metaphor adds a layer of depth and complexity to the poem. The theme of mortality is present throughout the poem, but it is ultimately a celebration of life and the natural world. This poem is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
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