O Child beside the Waterfall
what songs without a word
rise from those waters like the call
only a heart has heard-
the Joy, the Joy in all things
rise whistling like a bird.
O Child beside the Waterfall
I hear them too, the brief
heavenly notes, the harp of dawn,
the nightingale on the leaf,
all, all dispel the darkness and
the silence of our grief.
O Child beside the Waterfall
I see you standing there
with waterdrops and fireflies
and hummingbirds in the air,
all singing praise of paradise,
paradise everywhere.
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I think this poem accomplishes what the poet wanted it to: the development of a paradise setting by the waterfall. Interestingly enough, waterfalls have been the setting in many a novel, poem, etc. that taps into the emotional idea that moving energy either reflects inner turmoil or the sound of the moving energy "erases" the reality of the world. The child has managed to find an earthly paradise spot where nature, the insects and the sounds are in harmony. Lines 8-9 give the adult version of how paradise looks/sounds, and compared to the child, is "brief". A child can forget the present easier than adults. The poet doesn't give the sense that he has approached the child, but rather, as a being that witnesses the child. By thought and written word only does the poet form a bonding with the waterfall experience. There is a sense of admiration and affirmation of the child's ability to get lost in the beauty of paradise, which to the child is"everywhere" within the confines of the waterfall.
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Careless and conventional writing
This is a poor poem. To what subject does the second use of the verb "rise" relate in stanza 1? If it relates to "joy" it should be singular. Has Barker been seduced by the GCSE mistake of following "things" and thinking his subject is plural? Not important usually, but necessary in poetry. Has anyone seen a Nightingale on a Leaf (line 10)?? -
Is Grief necessary in this poem? I don't think it helps at all to balance what is real and what is reflection. Does the child feel grief too? If not, is he of us in "our grief?"
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i think this it a great poem it is sad but yet very peacful
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I would absolutely love to be there, with the fireflies. . . and the soothing sounds of the waterfall -- what harmony.
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This is a mournful poem. I could see a sad child, with tears streaming down his face. I also saw a tree standing beside a waterfall
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I would like to secure permission to record this poem, (which I have put to music) on my upcoming CD.
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Thanks very much...but so far no luck. I still am not able to find which book this poem originally appeared in. Does anyone out there know how this poem made it onto this website?
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I checked at amazon some of his books have been published by Faber and Faber
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As far as I can determine Random House published most of Barker's work.
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Does anyone know the publisher of this poem? Or what book it's published in?
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Very good images and I loved the waterfall scene... the birds calling... I could see it and hear it all in my mind. It seems to me that these poems are a lot more graceful and peaceful if read aloud. Try it sometime.
Kate
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Very Good
I like the symbolism in this poem! It's a great read, good work.
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