(born January 20, 1950).
American poet and critic who wrote a national bestseller about reading poetry. He has published nine books of poems, including The Living Fire: New and Selected Poems (2010), which brings together thirty-five years of work, and Gabriel: A Poem (2014), a book-length elegy for his son that The New Yorker called “a masterpiece of sorrow.” He has also published five prose books about poetry.
He is president of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation in New York City.
Edward Hirsch. Photo: wikipedia.org
Saturday morning in late March, I was alone and took a long walk. Ice had broken up on the river and the water rippled smoothly in blue light.
Meaning 📖: The text describes a serene and contemplative experience in nature during a transitional period – the end of winter and the beginning of spring. “Saturday morning in late March, I was alone and took a long walk.” This sets the tone for introspection and personal experience. The solitude and the long walk suggest time for reflection and observation. “The ice on the river had broken and the water rippled smoothly in blue light.” This image is highly suggestive: Broken ice: Symbolizes the end of a cold, static period and the return of movement and life. It can represent the thawing of emotions, the letting go of obstacles, or the beginning of something new. Rippled water: Represents flow, change, and the continuous cycle of life. Water is often associated with emotions and the subconscious. Blue light: Blue can represent calmness, spirituality, depth, and melancholy, but also clarity and the fresh air of an early morning. Together, it evokes a sense of renewal, letting go, and the beauty of the natural world awakening after winter. It can also be a metaphor for personal transformation or recovery. Origin and Author 🤔: This quote comes from the American poet Edward Hirsch. It is from his poem “Broken Ice,” which is part of his collection “Wild Gratitude” (1986). The translation you cite is very faithful to the original. The original opening lines in English read: “Saturday morning in late March I was alone / and took a long walk. The ice on the river / had broken and the water moved smoothly / in blue light.” Edward Hirsch is known for his lyrical and accessible poetry, in which he often connects everyday observations with deeper emotions and existential questions. His work is often imbued with a sense of melancholy, beauty, and a deep appreciation for nature and human experiences. It is a powerful and evocative quote that resonates with many people due to the universal themes of change, nature, and inner reflection. 🏞️💙
Door Pieter
Mensenmens, zoon, echtgenoot, vader, opa.
Spiritueel, echter niet religieus.
Ik hou van golf, wandelen, lezen en de natuur in veel opzichten.
Onderzoeker, nieuwsgierig, geen fan van de mainstream media (MSM).