Response to Old and New Canadian Poetry

SolitudeArchibald LampmanHow still it is here in the woods. The trees Stand motionless, as if they did not dare To stir, lest it should break the spell. The air Hangs quiet as spaces in a marble frieze. Even this little brook, that runs at ease, Whispering and gurgling in its knotted bed, Seems but to deepen with its curling thread Of sound the shadowy sun-pierced silences.Sometimes a hawk screams or a woodpeckerStartles the stillness from its fixed moodWith his loud careless tap. Sometimes I hearThe dreamy white-throat from some far-off treePipe slowly on the listening solitudeHis five pure notes succeeding pensively.

The author of the poem, Archibald Lampman creates a very clear image of a beautiful and isolated place in nature. I personally think that this poem however is rather dull. It seems the author is simply stating things one would experience in a forest in fancy wording. This poem doesn’t really seem to have any important morals or an underlying message. The author also contradicts himself as he states that in the woods it is “still” and that “the air hangs quiet” yet later in the poem he describes many noises and activities that take place “a hawk screams”, there is a “loud careless tap” and the brook “gurgles”. I do however enjoy the author’s use of literary devices especially all of the personification. I think the author could improve the poem by making it more original, and meaningful with a message or idea that makes the reader think.