The Concept of Rivers in Poetry Collections by Rewat Panpipat

Abstract

This study explored concepts of rivers in five poetry collections by Rewat Panpipat: Ban Mae Nam (Village by the water); Phan Phon Pleng Nam (A Thousand Raindrops of Memories and Life Currents); Mae Nam Ram Luek (Reminiscence of the River); Mae Nam Deaw Kan (The Headwaters); and Mae Nam Tee Sap Soon (The Missing River of Consciousness). Findings revealed concepts of rivers as 1) a source and nurturer of life metaphorically termed mothers of all living creatures; 2) treasures filled with life philosophy, with the relationship between life and nature emphasized according to Buddhist teaching; 3) a reflection of the past, rural lifestyles, and the author’s identity; 4) a revelation of darkness in human minds harming nature and humanity while negligently failing to recognize their values; and 5) an autobiographical self-portrait of motherhood, rivers, and childhood experiences influencing life choices against the consensual mainstream and the decision to pursue a writing career.