Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"On a Squirrel Crossing the Road in Autumn, in New England" is a poem by American poet Richard Ghormley Eberhart. It was first published in 1971 and reflects on the themes of nature, change, and the passing of time.

Explanation:

The poem describes the image of a squirrel crossing a road in autumn, and the sense of melancholy and beauty that it inspires in the speaker. The poem is filled with vivid and evocative imagery, as the speaker describes the "red-gold forest" and the "smoky air" of the autumn landscape. At the same time, the poem reflects on the themes of change and the transience of life.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "On a Squirrel Crossing the Road in Autumn, in New England" is a poem written in free verse, allowing the poet to experiment with line length and structure and to create a natural, conversational tone.
• Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid and evocative imagery, such as the "red-gold forest," the "smoky air," and the image of the squirrel crossing the road.
• Metaphor: The squirrel crossing the road becomes a metaphor for the themes of change and the transience of life, as the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the impermanence of all things.
• Personification: The poem uses personification to describe the autumn landscape, giving the impression that nature itself is alive and imbued with meaning and significance.

Conclusion:

"On a Squirrel Crossing the Road in Autumn, in New England" is a beautiful and contemplative poem that reflects on the themes of nature, change, and the passing of time. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and personification, the poem captures the sense of melancholy and beauty inspired by the autumn landscape. The poem stands as a testament to the beauty and transience of life, and the profound meaning that can be found in even the smallest and simplest of moments.

Poem Snippet":

"The smoky air is full of leaves

Fluttering to their death

And in the midst a squirrel runs

Across the dying earth."