Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Autumnal" is a poem by American poet Stanley Plumly, published in his collection "Orphan Hours" in 2012.

Explanation:

The poem is a meditation on the passing of time and the arrival of autumn. The speaker reflects on the changes that come with the season, including the changing colors of the leaves and the shorter days. The poem also touches on themes of mortality and the inevitability of death.

In "Autumnal," Stanley Plumly paints a poignant picture of the changing of seasons and the inevitable passage of time. The speaker reflects on the autumnal equinox, when day and night are of equal length, and the gradual transition into the colder months. He notes the changing colors of the leaves and the gradual fading of the summer sun.

As the speaker observes the world around him, he also reflects on his own memories and experiences. He thinks of his father, who has passed away, and the memories they shared together in the autumn months. He describes the leaves as "paper-thin, / crimped and burning at the edges," evoking a sense of fragility and transience.

Throughout the poem, Plumly employs rich imagery and language to convey a sense of loss and mourning. He describes the "leaves [that] glow like orange coals / behind the thinning, fading maple," suggesting a sense of warmth and life that is slowly fading away. He also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, mirroring the cyclical nature of the changing seasons.

In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of human life. He notes that "time is the province of the dead, / the living merely traffic through it," suggesting that time is a kind of border between the living and the dead. The poem ends with an image of the speaker walking through a cemetery, evoking a sense of finality and closure.

Poetic Elements:

Form: The poem consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem does not have a consistent rhyme scheme or meter, giving it a free verse quality.

Theme: The main theme of the poem is the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life. The arrival of autumn serves as a metaphor for this theme, as the leaves change color and eventually fall to the ground.

Imagery: The poem is rich in sensory imagery, particularly visual and auditory imagery. The changing colors of the leaves, the sound of rustling leaves, and the grayness of the sky are all vividly depicted.

Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and reflective, with a hint of melancholy.

Language: The language of the poem is simple and direct, with occasional poetic flourishes.

Figurative language: The poem contains several metaphors and similes, including the comparison of autumn to a "red sun" and the description of the leaves as "crisp as death."

Structure: The poem's structure is relatively simple, with each stanza consisting of four lines. However, the repetition of certain phrases and images throughout the poem creates a sense of continuity and unity.

Symbolism: The changing leaves of autumn are a powerful symbol of the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

Emotion: The poem is infused with a sense of wistfulness and sadness, as the speaker contemplates the fleeting nature of life.

Conclusion:

Overall, "Autumnal" by Stanley Plumly is a beautifully crafted poem that masterfully blends imagery, language, and sound to convey a sense of loss and mourning. Through vivid descriptions of the changing season and the speaker's memories, Plumly creates a powerful emotional impact that lingers with the reader long after the poem has ended.

Poem Snippet:

"Autumnal,

the red sun, leaves fall

crisp as death and the nights

longer and colder."

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