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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FISH AND THE SHADOW by EZRA POUND

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: THE SALMON-TROUT DRIFTS IN THE STREAM
Last Line: THAT FALLS THROUGH THE PALE GREEN WATER.

The salmon-trout drifts in the stream,
The soul of the salmon-trout floats over the stream
Like a little wafer of light.

The salmon moves in the sun-shot, bright shallow sea. . . .

As light as the shadow of the fish
that falls through the water,
She came into the large room by the stair,
Yawning a little she came with the sleep still upon her.

"I am just from bed. The sleep is still in my eyes.
Come. I have had a long dream."
And I: "That wood?
And two springs have passed us."
"Not so far, no, not so far now,
There is a place -- but no one else knows it --
A field in a valley . . .
@3Qu'ieu sui avinen,
Ieu lo sai."@1
She must speak of the time
Of Arnaut de Mareuil, I thought, @3"qu'ieu sui avinen."@1

Light as the shadow of the fish
That falls through the pale green water.



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