Written With A Pencil, Standing

This poem vividly captures the sheer power and force of nature, specifically a tumultuous river flowing through a rugged landscape. The primary theme is the raw, unrestrained energy of the natural world, as personified by the "roaring Fyers" and its "mossy floods." The tone is one of awe and respect for this formidable force, with a sense of both wonder and menace permeating the verse.

The structure of the poem, using a traditional rhyming scheme, provides a rhythmic flow that mimics the ebb and surge of the river itself. This is further emphasized by the poet's adept use of dynamic, dramatic language and imagery, such as "shapeless breach," "bursting torrents," "deep-recoiling surges," and "horrid cauldron." The poet's use of personification, attributing human characteristics to the river, intensifies the imagery. The river "toils" and "boils," suggesting both labor and a sense of violent, unrestrained motion. Similarly, "viewless Echo's ear, astonish'd, rends" employs personification and hyperbole to highlight the loud, echoing sound of the river, further enhancing the reader's sensory experience. The poem, thus, serves as a powerful testament to the awe-inspiring and overwhelming force of nature.