Complete Analysis of Streamside Exchange by John Pepper Clark

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 Streamside Exchange by J.P. Clark

CHILD

   River bird, river bird.

   Sitting all day long

   On hook over grass,

   River bird, river bird.

   Sing to me a song

   Of all that pass

   And say,

   Will mother come back today?

 

   BIRD

   You cannot know

   And should not bother;

   Tide and market come and go

    And so shall your mother.

 General Introduction

"Streamside Exchange" by J.P. Clark is a succinct yet profound poem that captures a dialogue between a child and a river bird. The poem, rich in simplicity and depth, explores themes of nature, innocence, and the passage of time. The interaction between the child and the bird is laden with symbolic meaning, revealing the child's longing and the bird's pragmatic view of life’s impermanence.

 Title

The title "Streamside Exchange" suggests a conversation or interaction taking place beside a stream. This setting evokes a natural, serene environment where the characters—a child and a river bird—engage in a brief but meaningful dialogue. The term "exchange" implies a sharing of thoughts or feelings, indicative of the poem’s core interaction.

 Stanza by Stanza Analysis

 Stanza 1: CHILD

- Lines 1-2: "River bird, river bird. / Sitting all day long"

  - The child addresses the river bird, noting its constant presence. This repetition emphasizes the bird’s consistent nature.

- Lines 3-4: "On hook over grass, / River bird, river bird."

  - The imagery of the bird perched on a hook over grass evokes a peaceful, natural scene. The repetition of "river bird" reinforces the child's focus on the bird.

- Lines 5-6: "Sing to me a song / Of all that pass"

  - The child seeks a song from the bird, desiring to hear about those who come and go by the river, suggesting a curiosity about life’s movements.

- Lines 7-8: "And say, / Will mother come back today?"

  - The child's query about the mother's return introduces a personal, emotional element, hinting at absence and longing.

 Stanza 2: BIRD

- Lines 9-10: "You cannot know / And should not bother;"

  - The bird’s response is straightforward, advising the child against worrying about the unknown.

- Lines 11-12: "Tide and market come and go / And so shall your mother."

  - The bird likens the mother’s return to the predictable ebb and flow of the tide and the regularity of market days, suggesting that the mother’s absence and return are natural, cyclic events.

 Themes

1. Innocence and Curiosity: The child's questions reflect a pure, innocent curiosity about the world and a personal concern for the mother’s return.

2. Nature's Cycles: The bird’s response highlights the natural cycles of life, comparing the mother's movements to tides and market days.

3. Impermanence and Acceptance: The poem suggests a need to accept the impermanence of life and the natural order of coming and going.

4. Communication between Human and Nature: The dialogue symbolizes a connection between human concerns and nature’s wisdom.

5. Longing and Comfort: The child's longing for the mother contrasts with the bird's comforting, albeit pragmatic, reassurances.

 Structure and Form

The poem consists of two stanzas, each representing one side of the dialogue. The first stanza is from the child’s perspective, containing eight lines with a repetitive, pleading tone. The second stanza, from the bird’s perspective, has four lines, offering a concise and reflective response. The poem's structure reflects the simplicity of the exchange and the contrasting perspectives of the child and the bird.

 Literary Devices

1. Repetition: The repeated use of "river bird" emphasizes the child’s focus and the importance of the bird in the child's world.

2. Imagery: Vivid imagery of the bird "on hook over grass" and the references to "tide and market" create a strong sense of place and time.

3. Personification: The bird is personified, engaging in a conversation with the child and offering wisdom.

4. Symbolism: The river bird symbolizes nature’s constancy and wisdom, while the child's questions symbolize human vulnerability and desire for reassurance.

5. Metaphor: The bird’s comparison of the mother's movements to tides and market days serves as a metaphor for life's natural rhythms.

6. Contrast: The contrasting tones of the child’s hopeful questioning and the bird’s pragmatic answers highlight different perspectives on life's uncertainties.

 Language and Diction

The language is simple and accessible, reflecting the innocence of the child and the straightforward wisdom of the bird. The diction includes natural and everyday terms, reinforcing the poem’s setting and themes.

 Mood and Tone

The mood of the poem shifts from the child’s hopeful curiosity to the bird’s calm and pragmatic reassurance. The tone is tender and reflective, balancing the child’s emotional vulnerability with the bird’s wise detachment.

 Context

J.P. Clark, a Nigerian poet, often explores themes of nature, culture, and human experience in his work. "Streamside Exchange" can be seen as a reflection of African oral traditions, where nature and human life are deeply intertwined, and wisdom is often conveyed through simple, direct dialogue.

 Conclusion

"Streamside Exchange" by J.P. Clark is a poignant exploration of a child's longing and the natural wisdom that addresses it. Through a simple dialogue, the poem conveys profound truths about life’s cycles and the importance of accepting the natural order. The river bird’s pragmatic response provides a comforting perspective, reminding us of the constant rhythms of nature amidst human uncertainties.