“To A Waterfowl” By William Cullen Bryant: “To A Waterfowl” By William Cullen Bryant
WHITHER, midst falling dew, While glow the heavens with the last steps of day, Far, through their rosy depths, dost thou pursue Thy solitary way?: WHITHER, midst falling dew, While glow the heavens with the last steps of day, Far, through their rosy depths, dost thou pursue Thy solitary way? ●The poet is speaking to the lone waterfowl that he sees flying above him.
●“Where are you (waterfowl) going all alone? It is the end of the day.”
● It is unusual for birds to fly alone.
Vainly the fowler's eye Might mark thy distant flight to do thee wrong, As, darkly seen against the crimson sky, Thy figure floats along.: Vainly the fowler's eye Might mark thy distant flight to do thee wrong, As, darkly seen against the crimson sky, Thy figure floats along. ●You might be killed by a hunter (fowler) as you fly through a red colored sky (blood, death).
●Is the bird an easier target because it flies alone?
Seek'st thou the plashy brink Of weedy lake, or marge of river wide, Or where the rocking billows rise and sink On the chafed ocean-side?: Seek'st thou the plashy brink Of weedy lake, or marge of river wide, Or where the rocking billows rise and sink On the chafed ocean-side? ●Are you looking for a safe place to land? The watery edge of a lake or river? The ocean?
There is a Power whose care Teaches thy way along that pathless coast— The desert and illimitable air— Lone wandering, but not lost.: There is a Power whose care Teaches thy way along that pathless coast— The desert and illimitable air— Lone wandering, but not lost. ● Power = God, nature, or instinct
● Whether you know it or not, there is a guiding force in your life that shows you where to go even though there does not appear to be a clear path. You may be alone, but you are not lost.
All day thy wings have fanned, At that far height, the cold, thin atmosphere, Yet stoop not, weary, to the welcome land, Though the dark night is near.: All day thy wings have fanned, At that far height, the cold, thin atmosphere, Yet stoop not, weary, to the welcome land, Though the dark night is near. ●You have flown all day to great heights and through challenging conditions. Don’t stop now; don’t give into the temptation just because there is land below or because it is getting dark. Keep going!
And soon that toil shall end; Soon shalt thou find a summer home, and rest, And scream among thy fellows; reeds shall bend, Soon, o'er thy sheltered nest.: And soon that toil shall end; Soon shalt thou find a summer home, and rest, And scream among thy fellows; reeds shall bend, Soon, o'er thy sheltered nest. ● Soon = Hopeful tone
● You work will end “soon”. You will finally be home among your friends/family and will be able to rest.
Thou 'rt gone, the abyss of heaven Hath swallowed up thy form; yet, on my heart Deeply hath sunk the lesson thou hast given, And shall not soon depart.: Thou 'rt gone, the abyss of heaven Hath swallowed up thy form; yet, on my heart Deeply hath sunk the lesson thou hast given, And shall not soon depart. You (the waterfowl) are no longer
visible, but the lesson you taught me
about the journey through life will
stay with me.
He who, from zone to zone, Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight, In the long way that I must tread alone, Will lead my steps aright.: He who, from zone to zone, Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight, In the long way that I must tread alone, Will lead my steps aright.
He = God, nature, instinct
Even though we, like the waterfowl, must take a “pathless” road at times in our life, we need to trust that there is always a force that is guiding us in the right direction. We may walk the path alone, but we will never be without direction.