Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Second Book of Odes: 10." by Basil Bunting is a vivid and sensuous ode to a moment of pursuit and playful interaction with nature, personified through the imagery of a river, possibly the Coquet in Northumberland, which is known for its scenic beauty. Bunting's poetic language immerses the reader in a sensory experience of the landscape, blending movement, sound, and touch to evoke the liveliness and allure of nature.

The poem begins with "Stones trip Coquet burn; grass trails, tickles till her glass thrills," immediately setting the scene with the Coquet river ('burn' is a term used in Scotland and Northern England referring to a small stream or river) as it flows over stones, creating a tripping sound that animates the water. The personification of the river as "her" with thrilling "glass" introduces the river as a character, full of life and energy. The tactile imagery of grass trailing and tickling further draws the reader into a close and intimate engagement with the landscape.

"The breeze she wears lifts and falls back" continues this personification, suggesting the river's movement is like a garment caught in the wind, an image that enhances the sense of the river's grace and capriciousness. This line evokes the fluidity and ever-changing nature of both water and wind, blending them into a single, dynamic presence in the landscape.

The poem then shifts to a more interactive scene: "Where beast cool / in midgy shimmer she dares me chase under a bridge, / giggles, ceramic huddle of notes, darts from gorse / and I follow, fooled." Here, the river seems to play a game, inviting the speaker into a chase, an action accompanied by the light-hearted sound of giggles, described as a "ceramic huddle of notes." This description conveys both the delicacy and the clarity of the laughter, likening it to the sound of finely made ceramics clinking together. The playful nature of this interaction is heightened by the speaker's admission of being "fooled," suggesting a willing participation in the river's teasing game.

The closing lines, "She must rest, surely; some steep pool / to plodge or dip and silent taste with all my skin," express the speaker's longing for a moment of rest and immersion in the river's waters. The desire to "plodge" (a dialect word meaning to wade or splash through water) or dip into a pool and to "taste with all my skin" emphasizes a yearning for a physical, immersive connection with the river, to fully experience its essence beyond the playful chase.

"Second Book of Odes: 10." captures the enchantment of a natural landscape, personified through the playful and dynamic character of the river. Basil Bunting's use of vivid imagery, tactile sensations, and the interplay between the speaker and the river crafts a poem that celebrates the beauty, mystery, and joy found in the natural world. Through this poetic exploration, Bunting invites readers to engage with nature not just as observers, but as active participants in its ever-unfolding story.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Complete_Poems/AWq5rlXayfgC?q=&gbpv=1&bsq=stones%20trip#f=false

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