The Love Song of Nature

The poem “Song” by Brenda Cardenas interestingly uses many nautical themes throughout. I think this is interesting, as many poems focus on things that can be seen in a field, forest, city, and so on. I find it interesting that she uses the ocean as a common connection with the person she is talking to. I think that, although it might not be evident at first, that this poem is about the love between two people, and the love of nature is how they are able to bond more closely.

In the beginning of the poem, it is evident that she is very connected to nature. She talks about being shouted to from beyond her dreams, and when she rushes to the beach, she sees whales breaching the surface of the water, and only then does she mention the person standing there. This suggests a strong connection to nature and perhaps this connection to nature is how she is able to better connect with the second person of the poem.

She also talks about this other person being to reach them (I would assume she means the whales), and being able to “ride their fins”. I think this could speak to the bond between these two people, and suggest that they love each other very much. She knows what this person wants, and this person has expressed their desires to her, even if they may seem fantastical or unrealistic. This love could be romantic, or it could be simply the love of friends.

I find the closing lines very curious, as she talks about wanting to drown her fears. Perhaps this person she is talking to has been able to conquer their own fears, and is trying to help her overcome some of her own.Maybe the fear is with this person, perhaps a fear of loss or a fear of being left alone. Whatever the case may be, it seems this other person is trying to help her overcome her fears, trying to help her move past the things that are holding her back. This again speaks to the love that is evident between these two souls.