Fish Kills: A Lamentable Limerick
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Fish Kills
Oh river, oh river, where are your fish?
We caught some to cook a delicious dish!
If others were catch-released,
Then why are they all deceased?
That fish return here is our fervent wish!
Limericks
The historical background of the limerick: A limerick is a specific kind of poem. No one knows for sure the precise origins of the word. A popular etymological (Greek: ἔτυμον, etumon, “true sense” + -λογία, -logia, “study of”) interpretation links the word with the city (Luimneach) or county (Contae Luimnigh) of Limerick in the Republic of Ireland (Poblacht na hÉireann).
All the cities, each county and every region add distinct, hallmark, unique contributions to the richly diverse literary and musical expressions to be found in the Irish Republic. The city and the county of Limerick give no definitive proof or physical evidence as to why they may or may not be the inspiration or source of the limerick. The association of the poetic form with the geographical region therefore may remain in the vaguely explanatory realm of an anecdote which is amusing to tell but impossible to prove.
The poetic structure of the limerick: The limerick may make a lot of humorous sense. Or traditionally it may make impolite sense through the inclusion of mildly obscene comments and references. Or it may make absolutely no sense at all. But whichever way, it tends to follow a precise structure:
- Five line total;
- Rhyme scheme A including the first, second and final lines;
- Rhyme scheme B involving the third and fourth lines;
- Syllable structure A needing 10 accents -- of which the final is silent -- in the first, second and final lines;
- Syllable structure B requiring 7 accents -- of which the last is silent -- in the third and fourth lines.
The meter can be amphibrachic or anapestic. In ancient Greek practice, the syllable which takes the accent is long. The syllable which does not take the accent, emphasis or stress is short.
The metrical background of the amphibrach: In actual English usage, the amphibrach (Greek: αμφί-, amphí-, “both” + -βραχυς, -brakhys, “short”) begins and ends with a syllable which is not emphasized or stressed. In between is a syllable which is emphasized or stressed. The pattern therefore will be heard as unstressed, stressed, unstressed.
The metrical background of the anapest: In contrast, anapestic (Greek: ανά-, aná -, “back” + -παιστος,-paistos, “struck”) meter arranges things a bit differently. The ancient Greek word can be translated as “reversed.” It refers to the fact that anapestic meter is a reverse of the dactyl (Greek: δάκτυλος, dáktulos, “finger”).
In English usage, the anapest divides the meter into a series of three syllables. The first two syllables will be unstressed. The third syllable will carry the stress. This same pattern of succeeding series of two syllables pronounced without emphasis followed by one with emphasis will hold from beginning to end in the poem which respects the anapestic meter. Each series will sound as unstressed, unstressed, stressed.
According to English usage, the dactyl also divides the meter into series of three syllables. But there is a difference. The first syllable will be emphasized. The following two syllables will not be emphasized. The pattern of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables will hold true throughout every series of three successive syllables from beginning to end in the poem which respects the dactylic meter. Each series therefore will sound as stressed, unstressed, unstressed.
The structural and metrical choices of the limerick in the hub: The limerick presented above adheres to the thematic format of a poem which seeks to make sense. In this case, the sense can be made in finding solutions to the environmental challenge of fish kills. It also follows an amphibrachic metrical format in which every three syllables in a line is structured as unstressed, stressed, stressed. With the stresses capitalized, the limerick therefore reads as follow:
Oh RIver, oh RIver where ARE your fish?
We CAUGHT some to COOK a deLIcious dish.
If OTHers were CATCH-reLEASED,
Then WHY are they ALL deCEASED?
That FISH return HERE is our FERvent wish!
The limerick "Fish Kills" therefore can be considered both innovative and traditional. It is atypical in being neither nonsensical nor obscene. But it respects the meter and the rhyme scheme of the limerick as it traditionally is expressed. The form stays true to the limerick poetic mold even though the general audience nature of its ecologically motivated content may not.
Fish Kills
The term fish kill is an example of ecological shorthand in English. The term also may be heard as fish die-off and as fish mortality. The first certainly represents the most graphic, rawest expression of the referenced event.
The phrase highlights the current environmental challenge of fish dying before their expected times and in great numbers. The challenge perhaps may not be answered or resolved in one consistent, uniform way. Research may yield multiple causes and solutions to explain and end the unexpected, untimely deaths of many fish even where their fishing is controlled or where anglers and fishers have catch-released many fish.
Despite the ongoing nature of investigations and the preliminary stage of conclusions, it is possible to make some general observations about the reason for fish kills. For example, researchers seem to unite in pointing to low oxygen content in water. Fish share with people the need for oxygen in order to survive.
Low oxygen content in water can be traced to different causes. One cause is algal blooms, in which algae flourish, take in oxygen, and use up oxygen previously available to the fish population. Other causes which bring about a similar situation in which the content of dissolved oxygen drops in water bodies may include the following:
- Drought;
- Overpopulation through enthusiastic breeding and/or zealous stocking;
- Rise in water temperatures through deforestation and the ensuing heat/light pollution of previously cooler, shaded waters;
- Sediment build-up through erosion and run-off.
Not a gravely parking lot but instead a section of the Mississippi River clogged with 1000s of fish, dead from oxygen depletion from low tide and higher-than-us
Still other causes may relate to the rampant spread of lethal conditions instead of reduced oxygenation. For example, a fish population may suffer from rambunctious diseases or voracious parasites. Or toxic dumping, emissions or run-off may turn watery habitats into deadly environments.
It is a lamentable situation which appears correctible.
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Acknowledgment
My special thanks to:
- Talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the Internet;
- Virginia State University and Polytechnic Institute for the high caliber of its Carol M. Newman Library collection of books on environmental issues and resources and of poetry and the analysis and criticism of poetry as well as of its online resources regarding the environment and trees.
Copyright
Copyright Monday, December 12, 2011 by Derdriu
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Chuckbl, It is so much fun for me to give the cultural and historical contexts of what I write about. Do you know why the limerick would be associated with Limerick city or county in Ireland? Is it perhaps some literary form that got started up during the Viking years?
Thank you for the visit, and the enthusiastic observations.
Respectfully, Derdriu
My fervent wish too. I hate to see dirty/polluted waterways. Unfortunately they are all too common here. Shocked to see EHUX off my home coast. Right into Plymouth Sound by the looks of it.
Fordie, Polluted waterways can be as dispiriting a sight as a really unclean plumbing or septic system. It doesn't have to be that way. It's just a question of cleaning up after oneself and watching out for pollutants.
It was sad to find and include the photographic record of the EHUX trail off Devon and Wales. It is even ironically sadder that the photo has personal meaning for a fellow HubPages-er (you). Is your hometown Plymouth?
Thank you for the visit and the knowledgeable observations.
Respectfully, Derdriu
Derdriu: It is indeed. I was born in a house overlooking a tidal stretch of the Plym estuary so the sea has special meaning.
That 'cleaning up' requires some thought. Landfills and other quick fixes are no better than dumping at sea. In the first instance we need to reduce the amount produced and for, the essential remainder, find other materials that are less harmful.
These are things that individuals generally feel helpless about - but I have faith that there are clever people out there who, if motivated, will find ways.
Fordie, That is such a beautiful, historical area to be from. It seems to me that those who grow up near the sea never forget its beauty, force and musicality. When I was living in France, I heard that no one in England lives further than about 80-1/2 kilometers from the sea. You certainly were much closer than that.
Please excuse my haste in writing "cleaning up." As a minimalist, I'm a great believer in clutter and litter management through reduce, reuse, recycle. If I can find a way to keep something out of a landfill, then I will.
Me too, I believe that I can make a difference and that there are clever, motivated people who can deal with the challenges facing us.
Thank you for wise insights!
Respectfully, Derdriu
Another great hub Derdriu. A lovely limerick, and informative discussion on what is a limerick and fishkill. I enjoy reading limericks and haikus, but find them very challenging to do. Haven't mustered enough courage to do so, but your explanation gives me a pretty good insight about the technical aspects of a limerick. Of course, the creative part is another thing. Though you did pretty well with the fish kill limerick.
As for fishkill, it's been a problem here in the Philippines. Pollution and the occasional algae bloom has been the culprit, but another sad reality in our country is greed. In the middle of this year we experienced a large incident of fishkill because the people who were cultivating fish in pens in a lake for commercial purposes were overstocking them and led to oxygen depletion in the whole lake!
Moira, It sounds like the causes of fish kill may be similar worldwide. Here in North America, there's a problem with acid rain, overstocking, and polluted nutrient run-off causing algal blooms and fish gender-bending. There's hope, though, since environmental consciousness is increasing as is information about what is ecologically smart and what is not.
It will be most interesting to see your poetic endeavors: I have faith in your writing so it'll be great.
Thank you for the visit, the wise insights, and the kind enthusiasm.
Respectfully, Derdriu
Voted up. I love the limerick. I should write more
PDXKaraokeGuy, Please do! You know how much I admire your creative imagination and poetic genius.
Thank you for the visit, the vote, and the kind enthusiasm.
Respectfully, Derdriu
Howdy Derdriu - This fine piece of writing was way more than would fit on a single plate - it filled a whole table! Very enjoyable and, for me, educational. Limerick writing is something I enjoy, and it is wonderful to learn something of what I may be doing when I write them. :) I put a hub together about the fellow who once lived in Limerick, Maine, U.S.A. who was famous (perhaps infamous) for his production of limericks. You might enjoy reading about him and his fellows in Limerick. Here's the HubPages URL - http://hubpages.com/t/23fe10 .
Thanks for putting this fine article together, and thanks to PDXKaraokeGuy for telling us it was here.
Gus :-)))
I love the limerick. So sad about the fish. Voted up.
Der, I have to get over the hurdle of thinking limerick's are silly and of taking myself so seriously, but, I've got three weeks before school starts again so there will be experiments galore. You're welcome Gus!
GusTheRedneck, Thank you very much for the link: it's most enjoyable and interesting.
Will you be publishing a hub featuring your limerick?
Thank you for the visit, the wise insights, and the enthusiasm.
Respectfully, Derdriu
P.S. PDXKaraoke Guy is awesomely impressive!
Moonlake, It's sad to see the fish suffer. But at least people know about the problem and are trying to solve it.
Thank you for the visit, the vote, and the kind enthusiasm.
Respectfully, Derdriu
Dearest Derdriu ~ Most commendable Hubpages. Another on my list for Hub-of-my-day! Thank you for the way you enunciated out the syllables of the limerick so we could hear your voice. Thank you for blending together an important message about algae blooms, fish kills, the sanctity of our lakes and streams, together with a form of poetry that typically makes fun or mocks some person, personality or institution. You have found a way to interest the student in learning through rhyme bringing together language and science. Bless you always, Debby
P.S. Tweet on #Twitter
PDXKaraokeGuy, You don't disappoint! So you go, resident poet!
Thank you for letting Gus know about the lamentable fish kills.
Respectfully, and with much appreciation and many thanks, Derdriu
Debby, Fish give such pleasure to all ages who visit them in public aquaria. A few years ago, I had the honor of being part of a group that visited and dined in the Atlanta aquarium: it was a dream come true which did not disappoint. We had so much fun with the fish, ourselves for company and Wolfgang Puck catering for company.
In contrast, it's hard to look at a fish which is heading out of this world because of intolerable environmental conditions.
Thank you for your visit, your support, and the enthusiastic wisdom which you emanate with your very presence.
Respectfully, Derdriu
Wolfgang Puck ~ Oohh-la-la! I have written so many articles about the Gulf Oil Spill and disaster to our waters. We have a great deal of investigation and research in NC regarding the algae and suffocation of the coastal waters. The many fish deaths continue along the east coast from many sources of contamination. Global warming continues to contribute to many changes and I'm afraid our generation and the next will see a lot more. Blessings, Debby
Thank you for the tutorial on limericks. I needed that. Very interesting!
Debby, It's an honor to be able to paraphrase the Lorax and say "I speak for the fish." The same most definitely may be said about you and your analytical, insightful, poetic and prose contributions on HubPages.
At least, fish kill is happening during a time when people know about it and care passionately about the outcome.
Thank you for the visit, the wise contributions, and kind enthusiasm.
Respectfully, and with best wishes to my neighbor to the south, Derdriu
Chrisam01, It's fun for me to combine my admiration for poetry with my enthuasiam for nature. It's an honor to receive a visit from you, whose creative imagination I so learn from in every single one of your unique hubs.
Thank you for the visit and the kind enthusiasm.
Respectfully, Derdriu
ExoticHippieQueen, Limericks can be easy and fun if the structure is known. It also works really well for getting a clear, concise message through regarding timely concerns, such as fish kills.
Will you be writing and sharing any limericks on HubPages?
Thank you for the visit, and the enthusiastic reactions.
Respectfully, Derdriu
Derdriu, All of your hubs are well researched and beautifully presented. Each of your hubs, so gorgeously illustrated with amazing images, is a favorite for me in its own right.
The opening photo for this hub is one of the most compelling, poignant images I have ever come across. It is an exquisite piece of science and of art. To think that the photo comes from NOAA --- not really a surprise because, from what I've seen, their research and output reflect a high concern for professional quality.
This poem tugs at my heart and flows through my mind. There is something about a limerick that can be so enchanting and mesmerizing and evoke a childish giggle as I remember hilarious encounters with limericks in childhood.
Your ecological limerick does not evoke a giggle in me. It evokes sheer admiration for the versatility which you have uncovered in this amazing literary form.
All the votes.
Stessily
Der, Your kind words astound me. I haven't seen you around lately. How have you been? How's life?
Stessily, The opening photo indeed is a typical beauty from NOAA. It has the quality of a painting in its balance of color, form, light and texture. From a distance, I don't realize at first that the theme is poignant just because of the artistry. Up close, it's a shock that remains with me.
Limericks are easy to remember and distinguish themselves with their humor. So it's fun to respect the form, but change humor into caution, information and hopefully inspiration.
Thank you for the visit, the votes, the wise insights, and the artistic/ecological/poetic commitment and enthusiasm.
Respectfully, Derdriu
Awesome Derdriu. You have a way with words! And, as usual, your great photos enhance all of your hubs.
Take care
John
John, The opening photo in particular is a favorite of mine. It showcases NOAA's photographic genius to perfection. To my way of thinking, it conveys the environmental concern over fish kills in a most effective, sobering, thought-provoking way. At first glance and from a distance, I noticed the sheer beauty of the balanced composition and colors in the photo. It was quite a shock to realize exactly what was happening there even though I should have been warned by the strange placement of some of our fishy friends.
Thank you for the visit and the enthusiastic appreciation.
Respectfully and appreciatively, Derdriu
My waterways were not antiseptic
My lines failed to be antipestic
My pet amphib broke
The toilet when he croaked
And made the whole thing amphibgraphic =:)
Winsome, What a special, unique, wonderful comment to leave in the form of a charmingly funny limerick! It's easy for me to imagine the plight and the mess ;-[.
Thank you for the excellent limerick!
Respectfully and appreciatively, Derdriu
Wow! Great background knowledge, great poem and i am going to try my hand on it. I ve learnt something though!
Ubanichijioke, To encourage others to use poetic formats they've tried either never or not recently, that's one of the reasons that I'm writing this series of poetry hubs illustrative of certain culturally diverse poetic formats and of specific artistic or environmental themes. So I look forward to finding your limerick among your hubs.
Respectfully, and with many thanks for the visit, Derdriu
If I'm not mistaken there is a town in New York State named Fishkill, though I have no idea if it relates to this Hub's topic. It was informative to read of a multiplicity of causes for fish kills of such proportions including the "whole lake" comment from the Philippines. One more thing we are using up that we thought was inexhaustible. Shame on us.
Perspycacious, Yes, there is the village of Fishkill in New York State. But no, it doesn't have anything to do with this hub. The name instead honors the original Dutch settlement of the state. The suffix -kill -- such as in Beaver Kill and Catskills -- means "creek" in Dutch!
Sudden fish death indeed can result from many causes. One of which is overstocking, which leads to fishes not having enough air to breathe, food to consume, or space to grow. To put it graphically, it's like a water body full of premature babies who are not being put on oxygen or being nourished through IVs.
Respectfully, and with many thanks for your visit and your environmentalism, Derdriu
I enjoyed your excellent Hub. Thank you for this enlightening treasure.
James, It's an honor to learn that The HubPages Enlightened, Esteemed, Excellent Writer finds this hub an enjoyable and enlightening "treasure" (;-]).
Respectfully, and with many thanks for your visit and your enthusiasm, Derdriu
chuckbl Level 3 Commenter 5 months ago
Another wonderful hub, as always, you really do provide an incredible amount of information. I enjoy a good limerick although, I haven't read any for a while. I envy your knowledge on these sort of subjects. An excellent piece, thank you for sharing. Voted up and all. :)