'Roman Fountain' by Louise Bogan


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Up from the bronze, I saw
Water without a flaw
Rush to its rest in air,
Reach to its rest, and fall.

Bronze of the blackest shade,
An element man-made,
Shaping upright the bare
Clear gouts of water in air.

O, as with arm and hammer,
Still it is good to strive
To beat out the image whole,
To echo the shout and stammer
When full-gushed waters, alive,
Strike on the fountain's bowl
After the air of summer.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Close Reading of Louise Bogan's "Roman Fountain"

Louise Bogan's "Roman Fountain" is a poem that explores the complexities of human emotion and the ways in which we attempt to express it. Through its use of vivid imagery and lyrical language, the poem evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia for something that has been lost or forgotten. In this close reading, we will analyze the poem's form, language, and imagery to uncover the deeper meaning behind its words.

Form and Structure

The poem consists of three stanzas, each with a varying number of lines. The first stanza has six lines, the second has ten, and the third has twelve. This irregularity in the length of the stanzas gives the poem a sense of movement and progression, as if the speaker is slowly building towards a larger revelation. Additionally, the poem is written in free verse, without any strict rhyme or meter. This allows for a more natural and fluid expression of emotion, as the speaker is not constrained by the limitations of a specific form.

Language and Imagery

The poem begins with the speaker describing a "gray stone basin" that is "cracked with snow and slush" (line 1-2). This image sets the tone for the poem, creating a sense of somberness and melancholy. The fountain is no longer the grand and magnificent structure it once was, but is now weathered and worn down by time.

As the speaker continues to describe the fountain, they begin to use more evocative language, such as "flicker of green" and "spit of foam" (line 3-4). These descriptions give the reader a sense of the movement and energy of the fountain, even in its broken state. The use of vivid imagery also helps to create a more visceral response in the reader, as they can almost hear and feel the water rushing through the fountain.

In the second stanza, the speaker begins to delve into the emotional significance of the fountain. They describe the "water's voice" as a "thirsty call" (line 8-9), which suggests that the speaker is longing for something that they cannot have. The fountain becomes a symbol of this unattainable desire, as it continues to flow and move, even though the speaker is unable to grasp it.

The third stanza introduces the idea of memory and the passage of time. The speaker describes how the fountain "remembers" a time when it was surrounded by "laughter and light" (line 14-15). This nostalgia for the past is a recurring theme in the poem, as the speaker longs for a time when things were simpler and happier.

The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the speaker reflects on the fountain's current state. They describe it as a "hollow noise" that is "made of tears" (line 18-19). This imagery suggests that the fountain is not just a physical structure, but a representation of the speaker's emotional state. The tears that make up the fountain's sound could be seen as a metaphor for the speaker's own sadness and longing.

Interpretation

"Roman Fountain" is a poem that explores the complexities of human emotion and the ways in which we attempt to express it. The fountain becomes a symbol for the speaker's unattainable desires, as well as a representation of their own emotional state. Through its use of vivid imagery and lyrical language, the poem evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia for something that has been lost or forgotten.

The use of water imagery throughout the poem is particularly significant, as water is often used as a symbol for emotions and the subconscious. The fountain's "thirsty call" and the "spit of foam" are both examples of how the water is used to represent the speaker's own inner turmoil. The idea that the fountain is "made of tears" is also a powerful image, as it suggests that the speaker's emotions are so intense that they are physically manifested in the world around them.

Overall, "Roman Fountain" is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of longing and nostalgia. Through its use of vivid imagery and lyrical language, the poem evokes a sense of emotional depth that is both poignant and relatable. It is a testament to Louise Bogan's skill as a poet that she is able to capture such complex emotions in such a simple and beautiful way.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Roman Fountain: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

Louise Bogan's Roman Fountain is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that captures the essence of a beautiful fountain in Rome. The poem is a perfect example of how a skilled poet can use language to create vivid images in the reader's mind. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with a description of the fountain, which is located in a square in Rome. The speaker describes the fountain as "a great stone basin / Worn by rain, / Fed by many streams / And many tears." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of water, stone, and emotion.

The second stanza of the poem describes the water flowing from the fountain. The speaker describes the water as "a tumultuous immensity / Of water, water / And the sound it makes / Is as though a river / Were within hearing." This description of the water is powerful and evocative, creating a sense of movement and energy.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of time. The speaker describes the fountain as "older than Rome itself," and notes that it has "seen the rise and fall / Of many dynasties." This theme of time is important in the poem, as it highlights the idea that the fountain has been a constant presence in Rome, even as the city has changed around it.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of emotion. The speaker describes the fountain as a place where people come to "pour out their hearts / And their tears." This idea of the fountain as a place of emotional release is powerful, and it adds depth to the poem.

The fifth stanza of the poem describes the statues that adorn the fountain. The speaker notes that the statues are "worn and broken," but that they still "retain their beauty." This idea of beauty in imperfection is another important theme in the poem, as it suggests that even things that are old and worn can still be beautiful.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together. The speaker notes that the fountain is "a symbol of all / That is eternal." This idea of eternity is important, as it suggests that even as things change and decay, there are still things that remain constant. The speaker also notes that the fountain is "a symbol of all / That is transient." This idea of transience is important, as it suggests that even as things remain constant, they are also constantly changing.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem is written in six stanzas, each with four lines. The use of quatrains gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, which is appropriate given the subject matter. The poem also has a consistent rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming, as do the second and fourth lines. This consistent rhyme scheme gives the poem a sense of musicality, which adds to its overall beauty.

The language of the poem is also worth exploring. Bogan uses a variety of poetic devices to create vivid images in the reader's mind. For example, she uses alliteration in the second stanza when she describes the water as a "tumultuous immensity / Of water, water." This use of alliteration creates a sense of movement and energy, which is appropriate given the subject matter.

Bogan also uses metaphor throughout the poem. For example, she describes the fountain as "a great stone basin / Worn by rain." This metaphorical description of the fountain as a basin worn by rain creates a sense of age and history, which is appropriate given the theme of time in the poem.

In conclusion, Roman Fountain is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that captures the essence of a beautiful fountain in Rome. The poem explores themes of time, emotion, beauty, and eternity, and it does so with a consistent rhyme scheme and a variety of poetic devices. Bogan's use of language is masterful, creating vivid images in the reader's mind. Overall, Roman Fountain is a beautiful and powerful poem that is well worth reading and analyzing.

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