On the Water

Summary 

This story is about two friends who go for a boat ride and appreciate everything around them, like the bright sky, nature, the hills, the trees, the birds, the ripples in the water, the flowers, and the fish. They even appreciate the stream of water they are passing.

Stanza-by-stanza explanation

In our little boat to glide
On the water blue and wide,
While the sky is smooth and bright,
What could give us more delight? 

In the first stanza, the poet tells us about going on a boat and how the place they have gone to has clean, blue water and a clear sky. They go on to ask what could give them more delight.

See the ripples, how they run,
Twinkling brightly in the sun;
While reflected, we can see
Shadows of each hill and tree

In the second stanza, the poet tells us that when they are in the water, they can see the ripples, how those ripples reflect the hills and trees around them, and how the bright sun reflects itself on them.

See the lilies, round and large,
Floating near the reedy marge,
Where the bulrush has its place
And the heavy water-mace.

In the third stanza, the poet talks about the lilies near the waterbody, how they are round and large, and how everything has a place. Even though there is a heavy current, there is a proper place for everything.

See the great green dragonfly,
And the swallow skimming by.
See the fishes spring and gleam,
Ere they splash into the stream,

In the fourth stanza, the poet discusses the dragonfly and its flight around the waterbody, as well as the fish in the water and their jumping into the stream.

See the bright kingfisher too
Dart a gleam of green and blue.
These are all around our boat
On the water whilst we float.

In the fifth stanza, the poet talks about the bright kingfisher and its characteristics, how he can see all these amazing things around his boat, and how they couldn't ask for more.