Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "Walking Down Westgate in the Fall" explores the intimate relationship between the changes in weather and the internal transformations of the soul. Despite contemporary skepticism about the existence of the soul, Nemerov suggests that these natural cycles deeply resonate with our inner lives, revealing an unacknowledged but profound connection.

The poem begins with the assertion that "The weather's changes are the private rites / And secret celebrations of the soul," indicating that the soul experiences its own seasonal shifts in harmony with the external environment. This idea is juxtaposed with the modern disbelief in the soul's existence, setting up a tension between internal reality and societal skepticism.

Nemerov then catalogues the various seasonal transitions: "The first clear autumn day, the summer rain, / The sudden fall of winter and the dark / When Daylight Saving goes, the sunny melt / Of several February days." Each of these moments symbolizes a significant shift, both in the external world and within the soul. The poem implies that just as the weather changes, the soul undergoes its own transformations, reacting in "resonance" with these natural events.

Walking down Westgate, the speaker observes how housewives set chrysanthemums "in bronze or marble bowls / Forth on the stoops," showcasing their vibrant, enduring beauty. These flowers, with their "lion's mane, sun's face ruddy glow of gold," defy the approaching ice and snow, symbolizing resilience and the continuity of life amidst seasonal decay. The chrysanthemums serve as a tangible link between the physical changes in the environment and the internal responses of the soul.

Nemerov asserts that such acts of placing chrysanthemums marry "weather with the soul," suggesting that these small, everyday actions reflect a deeper, soulful engagement with the world. The poem speculates on the soul's existence, imagining it would have its own seasons and "sing its songs among the falling leaves / Under the autumn rain." This lyrical depiction of the soul's activities contrasts with the skepticism about its existence, offering a poetic vision of internal life aligned with nature's cycles.

The imagery of walking past chrysanthemums and hearing "the acorns bang on the roofs of cars / And bounce and roll along the rainy street" brings the poem to a grounded, sensory conclusion. These sounds and sights evoke a vivid, lived experience of fall, capturing the essence of the season and its impact on the observer.

In "Walking Down Westgate in the Fall," Howard Nemerov eloquently explores the interplay between external seasonal changes and internal emotional states. Through rich imagery and reflective tone, the poem suggests that despite modern disbelief, there remains a profound, intuitive connection between the rhythms of nature and the human soul. The simple yet evocative scenes of autumn in the neighborhood serve as a testament to this enduring, if often unacknowledged, bond.

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