The Blue Heron by Bliss Carman
A poem about the beauty and mystery of nature, the passing of time, and the interconnectedness of all things. The speaker reflects on the changing seasons and the cyclical nature of life, likening the heron's flight to a dance. The poem also touches on themes of mortality and the fleeting nature of human existence.
By Bliss Carman · First published 1909 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Poetry, Canadian Poetry · 121 words
First lines
I see the great blue heron Rising among the reeds And floating down the wind, Like a gliding sail With the set of the stream.
I hear the two-horse mower Clacking among the hay, In the heat of a July noon, And the driver's voice As he turns his team.
I see the meadow lilies Flecked with their darker tan, The elms, and the great white clouds; And all the world Is a passing dream.
What this Textopian page supports
The Blue Heron is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature Poetry, Canadian Poetry
- Length: 121 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Blue Heron by Bliss Carman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Blue Heron?
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Similar titles
- Fireflies by Bliss Carman
- Winter by Bliss Carman
- Woodland Rain by Bliss Carman
- September Woodlands by Bliss Carman
- The Deserted Pasture by Bliss Carman
- Not So Far As The Forest by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Poetry — This book is a collection of poems written by Bliss Carman.
- Nature Poetry — The collection frequently explores themes and images related to the natural world, especially featuring the titular Blue Heron.
- Canadian Poetry — Bliss Carman was an influential Canadian poet, and the book reflects themes and styles important in Canadian literature.
Tags
Nature · Poetry · Mystery · Symbolism · Romance · Fantasy · Escape · Solitude · Island · Wilderness · Freedom · Longing