Poem of the Day: "In the Deep Channel" by William E. Stafford, Poet of the Month

The Songs of Eretz Poem of the Day for July 29, 2014 is "In the Deep Channel" by William E. Stafford, Poet of the Month.  In addition to the reviews this month, Mr. Stafford's work has been examined previously here:  http://eretzsongs.blogspot.com/2014/04/poem-of-day-once-in-40s-by-william.html, where a brief biography and references may be found.  The text of "In the Deep Channel" may be found here:  http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171504.

"In the Deep Channel"is another example of Stafford's modern take on the ballad form--we have seen many examples this month.  This one is particularly full of rich assonance, consonance, rhyme, and near rhyme, and has a lyrical, flowing rhythm like a deep river.  The conceit of the rhythm of the catfish as representative of the rhythm of the river make the poem flow even more.