The Speaker

The speaker spends ample time by a local pond over the years, becoming a fixture in the pond's reflection. He notices various kinds of wildlife and contemplates his own reflection in relation to the pond's life force, which is characterized by "seeming light" (3). The speaker's keen sensitivity leads him to suffer when drought reduces the pond to a lifeless pool. This can be seen in the final line of the poem when drowning becomes a metaphor for reduced imagination and felt connection.

Wildlife

The speaker describes the pond's flora and fauna by naming certain species and poetically representing others. For example, carp appear throughout the poem, and their movement changes depending on the season, temperature, and water level. The speaker observes their green-gold bodies swim vigorously in brisk autumn temperatures, while summer heat renders them inert. They, along with aquatic plants, begin to die during a severe...