Lone Bather by A.M. Klein and The Swimmer by Irving Layton

Poetry is used to send a variety of messages, either through its imagery, meaning, or by the poetic devices used. Each and every poem has something special and unique to offer to the reader, as long as the reader looks deep enough to find it. “Lone Bather'; written by A.M. Klein, and “The Swimmer'; by Irving Layton both offer such messages to the reader. At first glance, these messages seem surprising similar, but after further examination they are in fact strikingly different. The similarities are most evident in the imagery and use of poetic devices, however there are some cases where they are contrary. Meanwhile the differences are most obvious in the meaning, but due to the general similar themes of the two poems, some similarities are found.

The imagery used in the two poems is very similar at times. Both authors describe to the readers a picturesque view of nature, like plants blooming in the springs. Proof of this is found in “Lone Bather'; : “ is plant with lilies bursting from its heels.'; Similarly, in “The Swimmer'; the first stanza reads “ opening the spray corollas'; which also means the blooming of flowers or plants. This similarity is very strong, as it helps to paint the same picture in the reader’s head. Both describe a very beautiful scene of nature involving the blossoming of a plant, perhaps reflecting the changes the character might go through.

However, there is one fact that distinguishes the imagery in “Lone Bather'; from the imagery used in “The Swimmer.'; The “Lone Bather'; tends to describe a softer, calmer image, while “The Swimmer'; seems to have a rougher, more darkened picture it paints for the reader. For example, in “Lone Bather';: “ He rolls in his heap of fruit, he slides his belly over the melonrinds of water, curved and smooth and green.'; This seems to illustrate the peacefulness of the situation, almost creating a lazy, calm atmosphere. However, the imagery within “The Swimmer'; is quite opposite. “The Swimmer'; tends to portray a scene of force, as there is no evidence of the peaceful interaction between man and water as found in “Lone Bather.'; Evidence of such force ...

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...er. Either way, the huge difference is that the swimmer has left something behind, his boyhood and he is now a man. Meanwhile in Klein’s poem he ends with : “ the towel which rubs the bird, the plant, the dolphin back again personable plain.'; This is so significant to the meaning and theme of this poem as it obviously explains that after all effects of the experience are over, shown by the drying with the towel, the bather goes back to the plain old person who he was before, leaving the shapes that were formed in the water behind.

Both these poems do indeed have unique interpretations, depending on the reader. However, the methods that the two great poets used to make send those powerful messages are sometimes similar, but in this case largely different. Once one looks past the similarities of man entering water, the two poems have entirely different stories to tell, in very contrasting ways. Each poet has used effective diction, as well as very striking symbolism and imagery. The fact that they are different just shows how many ways there are to write a great poem, the only thing needed in common is the desire, feeling and will.