Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Nightfall" is a poem by Australian poet Gwen Harwood, first published in 1963. The poem explores themes of loss, aging, and the passage of time.

Explanation: 

The poem is divided into two stanzas of unequal length. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the evening sky and reflects on the passage of time. The sunset is depicted as a symbol of aging, as the "crimson orb" slowly disappears into the horizon. The speaker then contemplates the inevitability of death, and the sense of loss that comes with it.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes a scene in which a young couple walks hand-in-hand down a path. The contrast between their youthful energy and the speaker's sense of weariness and loss is highlighted. The speaker watches the couple, feeling both envious of their youth and also a sense of sadness at their naivete, as they are unaware of the difficulties and losses that await them.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of two stanzas of unequal length.
• Imagery: The sunset is depicted through visual imagery, with the "crimson orb" disappearing into the horizon. The speaker also describes the "footpath" and the "young couple" in the second stanza.
• Tone: The poem has a reflective, melancholic tone, with a sense of resignation to the inevitability of aging and loss.
• Symbolism: The sunset is used as a symbol of aging and the passage of time.

Conclusion: "Nightfall" is a contemplative poem that reflects on the theme of aging and the sense of loss that comes with it. The poem highlights the contrast between the energy and naivete of youth and the weariness and experience of old age. The use of visual imagery and symbolism helps to create a poignant and reflective tone.

Poem Snippet:

"Their words are lost in the noise of leaves,

the path is lost in the noise of leaves;

the clock strikes twelve."

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