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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Howard Nemerov's poem "Late Butterflies" is a delicate and poignant meditation on the passage of time, the cycle of life and death, and the onset of autumn. Through rich imagery and a rhythmic, almost breathless cadence, Nemerov captures the fleeting beauty of the season and the inevitability of change. The poem opens with the straightforward statement "October days," immediately placing the reader in the heart of autumn. The mention of "Red admirals"—a type of butterfly known for its striking colors—sets the stage for a visual spectacle. These butterflies "flutter among / Falling leaves," intertwining their fragile existence with the natural decay happening around them. The image of butterflies amidst falling leaves conveys both beauty and a sense of impending end, as the leaves signal the dying of the year. Nemerov then introduces "flakes / of the sun / Gone glittering," a metaphor that highlights the diminishing sunlight of autumn. These flakes, remnants of summer's warmth, now scatter like fragile, transient butterflies. The "hurrying clouds" and "milkweed seeds / Blowing along" add to the atmosphere of motion and change, reinforcing the idea of nature preparing for the coming winter. Birds become a prominent feature in this landscape, their loud calls echoing through the "red leaves." The "robin all rusty / And shabby jay" suggests that even the birds are worn down by the year's passage, their plumage reflecting the season's decay. The juxtaposition of the vibrant butterflies and the shabby birds underscores the transient beauty and the inevitable wear and tear that time brings. The poem then takes a reflective turn with the lament "Alas, / the admirals!" Nemerov notes that these butterflies, which spun their "silken shrouds" and seemed to die to life in the previous year, were reborn in spring. This cycle of death and rebirth is a natural process, one that the butterflies embody with their ephemeral yet vibrant presence. However, the tone shifts to a somber realization: "Now there's the end / Coming, November / Coming, storms / Of ice and snow." The approach of winter signifies the end of the butterflies' cycle, a stark contrast to the life-affirming spring. As the day darkens, the poem's perspective shifts to a more introspective and human response to the changing season. The speaker and those with them "take our pity / Back in the house, / The warm indoors." This retreat to warmth and shelter signifies a natural human reaction to the cold and harshness of winter. It also reflects a sense of empathy and sorrow for the butterflies that will not survive the coming cold. The poem's structure, with its short, enjambed lines, mirrors the fluttering of the butterflies and the scatter of leaves. The rhythm is both hurried and delicate, capturing the fleeting moments of autumn beauty and the inevitability of time's passage. Nemerov's use of natural imagery creates a vivid and immersive scene, while his reflections on the cycle of life and the approach of winter invite deeper contemplation. In "Late Butterflies," Nemerov encapsulates the transient beauty of life and the inexorable march of time. The red admirals, with their brief, vibrant presence, become a symbol of life's fleeting moments of color and vitality amidst the inevitable progression towards decay and dormancy. The poem’s final lines, focusing on the retreat to warmth and the onset of darkness, evoke a sense of melancholy acceptance and the human desire for comfort and continuity in the face of nature's relentless cycles.
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