The Trout by Amy Lowell (1917)
The Trout by Amy Lowell is a poem that explores the themes of nature, beauty, and the passing of time. The speaker of the poem reflects on the trout's life cycle, from its birth in the stream to its eventual death, and considers the fleeting nature of existence. Through vivid imagery and precise language, Lowell invites the reader to contemplate the beauty and fragility of life.
By Amy Lowell · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Imagism, Nature · 147 words
First lines
Naughty little speckled trout, Can't I coax you to come out? Is it such great fun to play In the water every day?
Do you pull the Naiads' hair Hiding in the lilies there? Do you hunt for fishes' eggs, Or watch tadpoles grow their legs?
Do the little trouts have school In some deep sun-glinted pool, And in recess play at tag Round that bed of purple flag?
I have tried so hard to catch you, Hours and hours I've sat to watch you; But you never will come out, Naughty little speckled trout!
What this Textopian page supports
The Trout is listed on Textopian as a poem by Amy Lowell, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Amy Lowell
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Imagism, Nature
- Length: 147 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Trout by Amy Lowell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Trout?
- How does this poem by Amy Lowell fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Poet To The Birds by Alice Meynell
- The Winged Victory by Bliss Carman
- In Gold Lacquer by Bliss Carman
- The Winds Message by Andrew Barton Paterson
- With Your Head Thrown Backward by Bliss Carman
- Like A Tall Forest Were Their Spears by Bliss Carman
Genres
- Poetry — Amy Lowell is a famous Imagist poet and 'The Trout' is one of her poems. The piece is therefore classified in the poetry genre due to its form and structure.
- Imagism — As a representative of the Imagist movement, Amy Lowell's 'The Trout' is largely characterized by its focus on strong visual images and precise, clear language, which are key elements of the Imagist style.
- Nature — 'The Trout' largely centers around nature and a specific element within it (the trout), thereby making it a candidate for the nature genre.
Tags
poetry · nature · fish · water · environment · literary · classic · American · Amy Lowell · 19th century · romanticism · symbolism