Monday, July 2, 2018

What is an analysis of "The Stream's Song"?

"The Stream's Song," a poem by Lascelles Abercrombie, is the fearless story of a stream as it pushes up against things which are traditionally harder and stronger than it. The stream sings its song of triumph as it continues forward, asking if the boulders and rocks fear it. It is interesting from a metaphorical perspective because it is the story of persistence versus traditional strength. The rocks and boulders are certainly harder and more steadfast, but the perseverance of the water proves more powerful, and the lines "crumble, crumble voiceless things; no faith can last that never sings" show that it is destructive in its fervent persistence.
The poem is broken up into stanzas of four brief lines which give the poem a feeling of short bursts—leaping to and fro. This brings to mind the image of a stream, jumping and surging between rocks. The verbiage used in the poem begins curious and almost cautious—asking if the rocks have fear of the water—but eventually becomes forceful and exultant, saying the rock shall be carried away and the stream will continue laughing ever more. This represents a stream continuing on its path and getting stronger as it wears away the channel around it.

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