On Not Shoplifting Louise Bogan’s The Blue Estuaries
Your book surprised me on the bookstore shelf —
swans gliding on a blueblack lake;
no blurbs by the big boys on back;
no sassy, big-haired picture
to complicate the achievement;
no mentors musing
over how they had discovered
you had it in you
before you even knew
you had it in you.
The swans posed on a placid lake,
your name blurred underwater
sinking to the bottom.I had begun to haunt
the poetry shelf at the college store —
thin books crowded in by texts,
reference tomes and a spread
of magazines for persistent teens
on how to get their boys,
Chaucer-Milton-Shakespeare-Yeats.
Your name was not familiar,
I took down the book and read.Page after page, your poems
were stirring my own poems —
words rose, breaking the surface,
shattering an old silence.
I leaned closer to the print
until I could almost feel
the blue waters drawn
into the tip of my pen.
I bore down on the page,
the lake flowed out again,
the swans, the darkening sky.
For a moment I lost my doubts,
my girl’s voice, my coming late
into this foreign alphabet.
I read and wrote as I read.I wanted to own this moment.
My breath came quickly, thinking it over.
I had no money. No one was looking.
The swans posed on the cover,
their question-mark necks arced
over the dark waters.
I was asking them what to do…The words they swam over answered.
I held the book closed before me
as if it were something else,
a mirror reflecting back
someone I was becoming.
The swans dipped their alphabet necks
in the blueblack ink of the lake.
I touched their blank, downy sides, musing,
and I put the book back.
Summary of On Not Shoplifting Louise Bogan’s The Blue Estuaries
- A Celebration of Poetic Resonance: The poem “On Not Shoplifting Louise Bogan’s The Blue Estuaries” is a deeply personal and evocative piece that explores the profound impact of discovering another poet’s work. It’s a tribute to Louise Bogan’s collection, The Blue Estuaries, and the way it ignites the speaker’s own creative spirit.
- The Experience of Discovery: The poem narrates the speaker’s encounter with Bogan’s book in a college bookstore. The speaker is immediately struck by the book’s unassuming cover—lacking the typical promotional fanfare. This simplicity draws her in, and she begins to read, finding within Bogan’s words a catalyst for her own poetic voice.
- Creative Awakening and Identification: As the speaker immerses herself in The Blue Estuaries, she experiences a breakthrough. Bogan’s poetry awakens something within her, dissolving a previous silence and allowing her own words to emerge. She feels a kinship with Bogan, a sense of being mirrored and understood. The imagery of swans and water becomes central, representing both the beauty of Bogan’s work and the flow of creative inspiration.
- Temptation and Recognition: The poem acknowledges a moment of temptation—the speaker briefly considers shoplifting the book, driven by a desire to own the experience, and the book itself. This moment speaks to the powerful connection she feels to the work. Ultimately, she chooses to return the book, recognizing that the inspiration it provides is more valuable than physical possession.
Central Idea and Noteworthy Points
At its heart, “On Not Shoplifting Louise Bogan’s The Blue Estuaries” is a poem about the transformative power of art and the profound connection between artists. The poem beautifully illustrates how encountering a powerful work can unlock creativity, inspire self‑discovery, and forge a sense of artistic kinship. It’s a celebration of poetic influence and the enduring legacy of great writers. The poem also subtly touches upon themes of economic hardship and the desire for access to culture.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in On Not Shoplifting Louise Bogan’s The Blue Estuaries
Imagery and Symbolism
The poet masterfully employs imagery throughout the poem, creating a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. The recurring image of swans on a blueblack lake is particularly potent. Swans, often associated with grace, beauty, and transformation, symbolize Bogan’s poetry itself. The lake represents the subconscious, the wellspring of creativity, and the depths of artistic inspiration. Consider these lines:
Your book surprised me on the bookstore shelf —
swans gliding on a blueblack lake;
The “blueblack lake” evokes a sense of mystery and depth, hinting at the complex emotions and ideas explored in Bogan’s work. The water imagery continues throughout the poem, representing the flow of creativity and the speaker’s immersion in the world of poetry:
I leaned closer to the print
until I could almost feel
the blue waters drawn
into the tip of my pen.
Here, the water literally flows into the speaker’s pen, symbolizing the way Bogan’s poetry fuels her own writing.
Enjambment and Flow
The poet frequently utilizes enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next—to create a sense of fluidity and momentum. This technique mirrors the flowing water imagery and the speaker’s stream of consciousness. Notice how the lines run together in this passage:
I bore down on the page,
the lake flowed out again,
the swans, the darkening sky.
The lack of punctuation at the end of each line creates a sense of continuous motion, drawing the reader forward and replicating the experience of being lost in a captivating book.
Free Verse and Rhythmic Qualities
The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. However, the poet skillfully employs various poetic devices to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. The repetition of certain sounds and images, as well as the careful arrangement of lines and phrases, contribute to the poem’s overall aesthetic effect. The absence of formal structure allows the poem to feel organic and natural, like a spontaneous expression of thought and feeling.
Metaphor and Symbolism of Ownership
The speaker’s fleeting thought of shoplifting the book is a powerful metaphor for the desire to possess beauty and inspiration. It’s not simply about wanting to own a physical object; it’s about wanting to internalize the experience and make it a part of herself. The act of shoplifting represents a momentary rebellion against the constraints of economic reality and a yearning for unrestricted access to art. Ultimately, the speaker chooses to return the book, realizing that true ownership comes not from possession, but from connection and inspiration:
I wanted to own this moment.
My breath came quickly, thinking it over.
I had no money. No one was looking.
Literary and Poetic Devices
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds. For example, “swans gliding on a blueblack lake” emphasizes the musicality of the line.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds. Notice the repeated ‘s’ sounds in “swans gliding” and “persistent teens,” creating a subtle sonic effect.
- Enjambment: As discussed above, enjambment contributes to the poem’s flowing rhythm and sense of momentum.
- Imagery: The vivid imagery of swans, water, and books creates a rich and immersive sensory experience for the reader.
- Metaphor and Symbolism: The swans, the lake, and the act of shoplifting all function as metaphors and symbols, adding layers of meaning to the poem.
- Free Verse: The poem’s lack of formal structure allows for a more natural and spontaneous expression of thought and feeling.
Quotes to be Used
These lines from “On Not Shoplifting Louise Bogan’s The Blue Estuaries” resonate with experiences of economic hardship and the longing for access to art and knowledge:
I wanted to own this moment.
My breath came quickly, thinking it over.
I had no money. No one was looking.
This passage speaks to the universal desire to possess beauty and inspiration, even when resources are limited.
“On Not Shoplifting Louise Bogan’s The Blue Estuaries” is a captivating and thought‑provoking poem that celebrates the power of art, the joy of discovery, and the enduring connections between artists. It’s a testament to the transformative potential of literature and a reminder that true ownership comes not from possession, but from connection and inspiration.