Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alicia Suskin Ostriker's poem "Fisherman" is a vivid exploration of the intersection between reality and imagination, where the act of fishing becomes a metaphor for the human experience of desire, escapism, and the elusive nature of fulfillment. The poem immerses the reader in a tranquil yet intense scene, where the fisherman's physical environment mirrors his inner world, creating a layered meditation on the tension between what is sought and what remains out of reach.

The poem begins by inviting the reader to "Imagine a fisherman in summer deep / Enough to have drowned all other seasons—." This opening establishes a sense of timelessness and immersion, suggesting that the fisherman is so absorbed in his current activity that the passage of time is irrelevant. The use of the word "drowned" is particularly evocative, implying that the weight of the present moment has submerged all other experiences and memories. The fisherman exists in a singular, intense present, disconnected from the cyclical nature of seasons and time.

Ostriker’s depiction of the landscape surrounding the fisherman further enhances this sense of immersion. The river "flows between banks of ash and hickory," and the natural details—"blackberries ripen, cobwebs form in the shrubs, / Blue jays grow drowsy"—paint a picture of a world in stasis, almost hypnotic in its stillness and heat. The natural elements are in a state of lethargy, mirroring the fisherman's own withdrawal into his private world. The season is ripe, languid, and almost dreamlike, with the fisherman "living in his dream" as he escapes the demands and connections of everyday life, symbolized by his relatives.

The imagery then shifts to encompass both the ethereal and the sensual, blending the two seamlessly. The world above water is described as "gauze, hotly in touch," evoking a sense of hazy, tactile immediacy. Ostriker likens this scene to "a late Monet, a Bach / Chorale, a woman peeling oranges," a juxtaposition of art, music, and a simple domestic act that suggests a blending of high culture with everyday pleasures. The reference to Monet, known for his impressionistic paintings that capture the fleeting effects of light, reinforces the dreamlike quality of the scene, where reality is perceived through a softened, almost mystical lens.

However, beneath this idyllic surface lies a contrasting reality. The trout, described as "pure muscle," glide in the "brown flood" below the boat, embodying the raw, unyielding force of nature. They are impervious to the fisherman’s presence, moving "as if he does not exist." This indifference is likened to "courteous phrases in a dead language," a metaphor that suggests both politeness and futility—the trout's existence is formal, unyielding, and ultimately uninterested in the fisherman’s desires. Their "glassy eyes" that "look past each other hopeless" underscore the sense of detachment and the elusive nature of the fish, which remain beyond the fisherman’s grasp, much like unfulfilled desires or unattainable goals.

The poem’s closing lines capture the essence of the fisherman’s experience: "It is as the fisherman wishes. He casts / His line again and again in the heavy heat." The repetition of the casting action suggests a stubborn persistence, a continuous effort to engage with the world, even if the desired outcome remains elusive. The "heavy heat" emphasizes the oppressive atmosphere, both physically and metaphorically, as the fisherman remains caught in this cycle of striving without attainment.

In "Fisherman," Alicia Suskin Ostriker delves into the complexities of human desire and the often frustrating nature of the pursuit of fulfillment. The poem’s rich imagery and subtle metaphors create a layered narrative where the fisherman’s simple act of fishing becomes a profound exploration of the human condition. The contrast between the dreamlike quality of the world above water and the stark, indifferent reality beneath it captures the tension between aspiration and reality, between what is sought and what remains just out of reach. Ultimately, the poem suggests that the act of pursuit, the continuous casting of the line, is as significant as, if not more than, the attainment of the desired goal.

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