The recurring images of birds, fish, and boats in Peter Markus's "When Our Fathers Return to Us as Birds" are significant symbols of transformation and transcendence. Birds symbolize freedom and the soul's journey, often representing the transition from life to death and back. Fish, on the other hand, are associated with the river, a source of life and continuity, and their presence signifies the connection between the living and the dead. Boats, as vessels that traverse water, embody the journey through life and the passage of time. These motifs contribute to the overall theme by illustrating the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, and the enduring bond between the living and the departed. They also serve as metaphors for the poet's own journey of grief and healing, as he navigates the complex emotions surrounding his father's death.