Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Ginkgoes in Fall" by Howard Nemerov is a reflective and detailed poem that explores the history and symbolism of ginkgo trees. Through rich imagery and thoughtful observation, Nemerov delves into themes of time, decay, and the intersection of nature and human experience.

The poem opens with a striking characterization of ginkgo trees: "They are the oldest living captive race, / Primitive gymnosperms that in the wild / Are rarely found or never, temple trees." This introduction immediately situates the ginkgoes within a context of ancient lineage and rarity. By describing them as a "captive race," Nemerov suggests that these trees have been transplanted and preserved by human intervention, much like artifacts of an ancient civilization.

The phrase "brought down in line unbroken from the deep / Past where the Yellow Emperor lies tombed" evokes a sense of continuity and connection to ancient China, where the Yellow Emperor is a legendary figure. This historical reference underscores the ginkgoes' enduring presence and their significance in cultural and natural history.

Nemerov then shifts to the sensory and somewhat repulsive aspect of the ginkgoes' fruit: "Their fallen yellow fruit mimics the scent / Of human vomit, the definite statement of / An attitude." The comparison of the fruit's smell to vomit is jarring, emphasizing the unpleasant and visceral reality of nature. This "definite statement of / An attitude" can be interpreted as nature's unapologetic expression of itself, indifferent to human preferences.

The poem continues to explore the unique characteristics of the ginkgoes: "and their translucency of leaf, / Filtering a urinary yellow light, / Remarks a delicate wasting of the world." Here, Nemerov captures the delicate beauty of the ginkgo leaves, which allow light to filter through them in a way that suggests both fragility and the passage of time. The phrase "a delicate wasting of the world" implies a slow, graceful decay, a natural process that reflects the impermanence of life.

Nemerov anticipates the coming winter, when the ginkgoes will "defecate their leaves / And bear the burden of their branches up / Alone and bare." This imagery of the trees shedding their leaves like an act of defecation is both vivid and poignant, symbolizing a cleansing or purging that leaves the trees starkly exposed. The "burden of their branches" suggests a sense of endurance and resilience, as the ginkgoes stand bare against the elements.

The final lines, "dynastic diagrams / Of their distinguished genealogies," bring the poem full circle, emphasizing the ginkgoes' ancient and noble lineage. The trees are likened to diagrams, their bare branches tracing the outlines of their long history, a visual representation of their survival through countless generations.

"Ginkgoes in Fall" by Howard Nemerov is a richly layered poem that combines historical reference, sensory detail, and natural imagery to explore themes of time, decay, and the resilience of nature. Through the lens of the ginkgo trees, Nemerov invites readers to reflect on the interplay between nature and human history, and the enduring beauty found in the cycle of life and death.

Copyright (c) 2024 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...