Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Complex Autumnal" by Carolyn Kizer is a richly textured meditation on the intertwining of nature, emotion, and time. Through vivid imagery and a reflective tone, Kizer captures the essence of autumn, blending observations of the physical world with introspective musings on love, fear, and the cyclical nature of existence.

The poem opens with a simple yet evocative action: "I let the smoke out of the windows / And lift the hair from my ears." This act of releasing smoke and adjusting one's hair sets a scene of domesticity disrupted by a sense of change. The smoke, a common autumnal element, signifies both the warmth of a hearth and the passage of time as it disperses into the air. The act of lifting hair from the ears suggests a readiness to listen, to attune oneself to the subtle shifts of the season.

Kizer introduces the season with a flourish: "A season of birds and reaping, / A level of light appears." This line encapsulates the dual nature of autumn as a time of harvest and abundance, as well as a period of decline and preparation for winter. The "level of light" that appears is a hallmark of autumn, with its unique, slanting sunlight that bathes the world in a distinctive glow.

The imagery of "Sun lies in urns on the terrace / Like the cat on the chimney" juxtaposes the stillness of inanimate objects with the living warmth of a cat basking in the sun. This comparison highlights the serene, contemplative quality of autumn afternoons. The mention of the near fall stirring the curtains and the "narrow / Ribbons of air" nipping at fingers evokes the gentle, yet noticeable, presence of the changing season.

Kizer's attention to sensory details continues with the line "Warm under foot, the carpet / Reminds my skin I am here." The tactile sensation of the warm carpet serves as a grounding force, reminding the speaker of her physical presence and the comfort of familiar surroundings. This grounding is juxtaposed with the broader, more abstract concepts of weather and love, which are introduced as forces that "begin together."

The poem takes a philosophical turn with the line "The ear / Mysterious, now, as a vessel, / An ark, or a precious container." Here, Kizer suggests that the ear, a simple organ, holds profound capabilities, akin to an ark or a precious container. This metaphor emphasizes the ear's role in perceiving the world and internalizing experiences, making it a conduit for understanding the complex interplay of emotions and sensory input.

Kizer's description of the natural world continues with the arrival of waxwings to the ash trees, whose leaves "rustle until they are bare." This image of birds and rustling leaves encapsulates the transient beauty of autumn and the inevitability of change. The birds, symbolizing freedom and movement, contrast with the speaker's stationary position: "While I stand, still as the harvest, / With the sound of the fall in the air."

The poem culminates in a reflection on the cyclical nature of time and the human experience: "All things begin together, / Here, as I shake, at the day's / Beginning, with pleasure and fear." This line suggests that each new day brings a confluence of emotions and experiences, intertwined and inseparable. The speaker acknowledges the ever-present duality of pleasure and fear, a natural response to the changing seasons and the uncertainties of life.

The final lines, "Numb with night's dip and turning / When I weathered love-in-a-sphere, / Like the siamese cat on the chimney," bring the poem full circle. The image of weathering "love-in-a-sphere" suggests a self-contained, introspective journey, paralleling the seasonal cycle. The Siamese cat on the chimney, a recurring motif, symbolizes warmth, comfort, and the constancy of nature amidst the flux of time.

"Complex Autumnal" by Carolyn Kizer masterfully weaves together sensory details, introspective reflections, and natural imagery to create a rich tapestry that captures the essence of autumn. Through her nuanced exploration of the interplay between external change and internal emotions, Kizer invites readers to contemplate the cyclical nature of life and the beauty inherent in each season. The poem stands as a testament to the power of poetry to encapsulate the complexity of human experience in the face of nature's rhythms.