On life and poetry creation … making the most of a situation … surviving the event …

As Well as They Can

As well as it can, the hooked fish while it dies,
Gasping for life, threshing in terror and pain,
Its torn mouth parched, grit in its delicate eyes,
   Thinks of its pool again.

As well he can, the poet, blind, betrayed
Distracted by the groaning mill, among
The jostle of slaves, the clatter, the lash of trade,
    Taps the pure source of song.

As well I can, my heart in this bleak air,
The empty days, the waste rights since you went,
Recalls your warmth, your smile, the grace and stir 
     That were its element.

A.D. Hope (1907 - 2000)

There are three separate stanzas dealing with survival in some form in different situations. The first stanza is all about a fish fighting to live. In this situation we, the fisherman or lady, are in control whether the fish lives or dies. If the fish is undersised it should be thrown back. We all desire to live, at least until something might happen and we are in such pain we just want to be released from suffering. The fish is no different.

In the second stanza the poet wants to survive as a poet. The poet is after the pure source of song and is continually detracted by the shortcomings of others and their unfitting behavior in the advance of what he or she wishes to say. Towards the truth or the truth within that the poet wants to reveal. It is difficult when frustrated and not being able to find the appropriate words that reflect the purpose of the poem and how it will be perceived by the reader. And being genuine to our self is not easy. Poets often confront the established view and sometimes suffer for such expression.

In the closing stanza the poet recalls the precious moments with those that are deeply loved. This is dealing with grief, the ongoing struggle to keep going after loss. The heart is in bleak air and the days empty.

In summary the poem is all about doing as well as we can, doing our best as we experience life. And interestingly the fish does the best in the same pursuit with not the same recognition.

A. D. hope an Australian poet who came to Canberra as the first professor of English at Canberra University. He is highly regarded as a poet, more details on Wikipedia – A. D. Hope on Wikipedia