"Hamlen Brook" Poem Discussion Summary

Hamlen Brook transforms from a nature poem into a deeper reality of life. The opening image portrays a small stream running through the woods. The speaker approaches the luminous stream describing it in contrast to the "alder-darkened brink". Sweat dripping into the water signifies the speaker had performed an activity to cause perspiration. As the speakers kneels down, they describes a translucent fish swimming in the water whose shadow on the streams bottom appeared to be more solid than its body. The speaker continues to describe the fish as under "sliding glass" suggesting its as if they are observing the specimen on a slide through a microscope. Only the reflections of birches, dragonflies, and "deep cloudlets" on the surface of the water add more layers than reality. Through the speakers description it can be determined that they themselves can not get enough of nature because moments like these are so rare; making him want to return to feel this satisfaction. By stating "How shall I drink all this?" he questions how he can absorb all this beauty in the nature around him in that moment. At the end the narrator writes "Leaving them dumbstruck also with an ache" to represent the shock of complete satisfaction. The poem catches the aspect of the inability to always have total joy because moments like these fade quickly. Permanent satisfaction is not possible. Nothing can fully satisfy people, people are always searching to be happier.