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Of Some Renown by Jean L. Connor: American Life in Poetry #22

In this short poem by Vermont writer Jean L. Connor, an older speaker challenges the perception that people her age have lost their vitality and purpose. Connor compares the life of such a person to an egret fishing. Though the bird stands completely still, it has learned how to live in the world, how to sustain itself, and is capable of quick action when the moment is right.
Of Some Renown

For some time now, I have
lived anonymously. No one
appears to think it odd.
They think the old are,
well, what they seem. Yet
see that great egret

at the marsh's edge, solitary,
still? Mere pretense
that stillness. His silence is
a lie. In his own pond he is
of some renown, a stalker,
a catcher of fish. Watch him.


American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Reprinted from Passager, 2001 by permission of the author. Copyright © 2001 by Jean L. Connor whose first book of poetrr Books, Baltimore. Introduction copyright © 2009 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

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  • grampabob1946 silver member
    June 22
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    Very True

    You show a great insite. I am always quiet around my children and grandchildren because I have learned people believe only what they want to believe. When I see them taking the same path I took so many years ago I refrain from enlightening them as to the pitfalls because I know they can't hear me. I am just to be respected (tolerated) because I am grampa. I love them very much. But let them learn their own way just as I did when I was their age. Thanks for the lovely poem. it is one I shall print off and keep.