Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Duck-Chasing," Galway Kinnell offers a metaphorical exploration of pursuit and the fleeting nature of encounters. The poem's narrative follows a seemingly simple and playful chase of a small brown duck across the swells of the sea. However, through this pursuit, Kinnell delves into deeper themes of elusiveness, loss, and the ephemeral quality of experiences.

The poem begins with a vivid, straightforward observation: "I spied a very small brown duck / Riding the swells." The speaker's immediate attraction to the duck is evident in the direct address, "Little duck! / I cried." This interaction sets the stage for the ensuing chase, highlighting a sense of curiosity and the desire to connect. The duck’s reaction, "It paddled away, / I paddled after it," introduces the motif of pursuit that runs through the poem.

The chase intensifies as both the duck and the speaker dive into the sea: "When it dived, / Down I dived too: too smoky was the sea, / We were lost." The repetition of "we were lost" underscores the disorienting and elusive nature of the chase. The smoky quality of the sea adds a layer of mystery and obscurity, suggesting that the object of pursuit is not easily grasped or understood. The speaker's persistent effort to follow the duck, despite the recurring sense of being lost, emphasizes the often fruitless nature of such pursuits.

As the speaker continues to chase the duck westward, the pattern of diving and surfacing repeats: "It surfaced / In the west, I swam west / And when it dived I dived, / And we were lost and lost and lost." The triple repetition of "lost" intensifies the feeling of futility and underscores the elusive nature of the duck. The poem's rhythm mimics the back-and-forth movement of the chase, creating a sense of relentless but ultimately unproductive pursuit.

A pivotal moment occurs when the speaker "came floating up on it / From the side, like a deadman, / And yelled suddenly." This unexpected and almost desperate action startles the duck, causing it to take off. The imagery of the duck ascending with "Brown wings burning and flashing / In the sun as the sea it rose over / Burned and flashed underneath it" is vivid and dynamic. This moment of the duck's flight symbolizes both the culmination and the end of the chase. The contrast between the burning, flashing wings and the sea underneath highlights the fleeting beauty and intensity of the encounter.

The final lines, "I did not see the little duck again. / Duck-chasing is a game like any game. / When it is over it is all over," provide a reflective conclusion. The acknowledgment that the duck will not be seen again underscores the transient nature of the chase. By comparing duck-chasing to a game, Kinnell emphasizes the playful yet ultimately ephemeral quality of such pursuits. The finality expressed in "When it is over it is all over" resonates with a sense of acceptance and resignation.

Through "Duck-Chasing," Kinnell captures the essence of pursuit and the inevitability of loss. The poem’s structure, with its repetitive diving and surfacing, mirrors the cyclical nature of chasing something elusive. The rich imagery and dynamic descriptions enhance the reader's engagement with the narrative, while the underlying themes invite deeper contemplation. In essence, "Duck-Chasing" is a meditation on the beauty of fleeting moments and the realization that some pursuits, no matter how fervent, ultimately end with acceptance of their transience.

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