The Bather by Bliss Carman (1907)
A poem about a man who finds solace in his daily bath, escaping the troubles of the world outside.
By Bliss Carman · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Nature writing, Romanticism · 197 words
First lines
I saw him go down to the water to bathe; He stood naked upon the bank.
His breast was like a white cloud in the heaven, that catches the sun; It swelled with the sharp joy of the air.
His legs rose with the spring and curve of young birches; The hollow of his back caught the blue shadows:
With his head thrown up to the lips of the wind; And the curls of his forehead astir with the wind.
What this Textopian page supports
The Bather is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Bliss Carman
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature writing, Romanticism
- Length: 197 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Bather by Bliss Carman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Bather?
- How does this poem by Bliss Carman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Word Of The Water by Bliss Carman
- Hark Love To The Tambourines by Bliss Carman
- A Wet Sheet And A Flowing Sea by Alice Meynell
- At Night by Amy Lowell
- At Night by Alice Meynell
- A Dewdrop by Robert Graves
Genres
- Poetry — Bliss Carman is prominently known for his work in poetry and his collection of works, including 'The Bather', largely fall under this category.
- Nature writing — Carman often draws imagery and themes from the natural world, making this a relevant genre.
- Romanticism — Carman's works, such as 'The Bather', often exhibit strong emotions, love for nature, and a focus on individualism, which are elements of the Romanticism genre.
Tags
poetry · water · bathing · nature · beauty · self-discovery · inner peace · solitude · reflection · introspection · emotions · sensuality