The Leech Gatherer as an answer to the question: What is the Author.

I don't know about anybody else, but I am a reader who can really appreciate and enjoy an extensively well-written and descriptive metaphor, especially when it relates so well to the question we have been discussing at length in class, namely, What is an Author/Poet? Recently for my Romantic Period class, we read a poem by William Wordsworth (love him) called the Leech Gatherer. I have to admit that when I read this poem I saw nothing special or ordinary about it. Actually, I was a little appalled that Wordsworth would decide to write a poem about such a grotesque occupation and did not even consider that the poem might have a deeper meaning. However, upon our discussion of the poem as a class, my eyes were opened to the fact that this poem does have a deeper meaning and I became fascinated with what Wordsworth was trying to convey about himself, and more generally about what defines a poet (romantically), through his description a man who wanders around catching leeches to sell to doctors and medical institutions (I have attached a link at the bottom on the blog to the poem for those of who would like to read it in order to better understand what I am talking about). First, I have to say that I was struck by the amount of times Wordsworth alludes to loneliness when speaking of the Leech Gatherer. If we apply this reoccurring theme to the idea of what makes up the author, it is easy to conclude that, in Wordsworth's opinion (as well as in the opinion of other romantic writers-Emerson) that the poet is a man who stands apart from other men and leads a rather solitary and lonesome life. I was also taken back from the lines in the poem where the Leech Gatherer is explaining his occupation and says: "gathering leeches, far and wide / He traveled; stirring thus about his feet / The waters in the pools where they abide" When I read this I pictured a man stirring up a pond and all of the dirt and grime from the bottom coming up and revealing itself. When applied to a poet, I took this metaphor to mean that a poet is somebody who is responsible for stirring up and revealing, perhaps the darker and less visible sides of humanity to those around him. I thought this was incredibly interesting and, although we have discussed similar ideas as attributed to the Poet through Emerson's prose, I really appreciated being able to identify with and understand the Romantic view of the author through an image of a leech gatherer. Hopefully this poem will be able to help others gain a clearer picture as it did with me.
The Leech Gatherer by William Wordsworth