The Bay, James K. Baxter: Summary, Analysis & Themes

James K. Baxter's poem ‘The Bay’ mourns the degradation of the bay's natural beauty and its surroundings. By contrasting his vivid childhood memories with the current state of the landscape, Baxter highlights the profound emotional impact this change has on him. His perspective on humanity’s progress is somewhat paradoxical, as it acknowledges development while lamenting its consequences on nature. The poem conveys a deep sense of sorrow, yet the vibrant depiction of the past evokes admiration for the once-pristine scenery. Baxter’s concise and understated expressions effectively emphasize the extent of nature's loss without resorting to exaggeration. The Bay Poem by James K. Baxter One the road to the bay was a lake of rushes Where we bathed at times and changed in the bamboos. Now it is rather to stand and say How many roads we take that lead to Nowhere, The alley overgrown, no meaning now but loss: Not that veritable garden where everything comes easy. And by the bay…