'Autumn' by P.K. Page


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Whoever has no house now will never have one.
Whoever is alone will stay alone
Will sit, read, write long letters through the evening
And wander on the boulevards, up and down...

- from Autumn Day, Rainer Maria Rilke


Its stain is everywhere.
The sharpening air
of late afternoon
is now the colour of tea.
Once-glycerined green leaves
burned by a summer sun
are brittle and ochre.
Night enters day like a thief.
And children fear that the beautiful daylight has gone.
Whoever has no house now will never have one.

It is the best and the worst time.
Around a fire, everyone laughing,
brocaded curtains drawn,
nowhere-anywhere-is more safe than here.
The whole world is a cup
one could hold in one's hand like a stone
warmed by that same summer sun.
But the dead or the near dead
are now all knucklebone.
Whoever is alone will stay alone.

Nothing to do. Nothing to really do.
Toast and tea are nothing.
Kettle boils dry.
Shut the night out or let it in,
it is a cat on the wrong side of the door
whichever side it is on. A black thing
with its implacable face.
To avoid it you
will tell yourself you are something,
will sit, read, write long letters through the evening.

Even though there is bounty, a full harvest
that sharp sweetness in the tea-stained air
is reserved for those who have made a straw
fine as a hair to suck it through-
fine as a golden hair.
Wearing a smile or a frown
God's face is always there.
It is up to you
if you take your wintry restlessness into the town
and wander on the boulevards, up and down.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Autumn by P.K. Page: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever felt the crisp autumn breeze on your skin or the crunch of fallen leaves beneath your feet? Autumn, a poem by P.K. Page, captures the essence of this season with vivid imagery and rich language. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes and symbols of the poem and explore its deeper meanings.

Overview of the Poem

Autumn is a short poem consisting of eight stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in free verse and does not follow a particular rhyme scheme. The themes of the poem revolve around the changing of seasons, the passage of time, and the beauty of nature.

Analysis of the Poem

The Changing of Seasons

The poem begins with the line, "October's bellowing anger breaks and cleaves/The bronzed battalions of the stricken trees." The personification of October as an angry force that breaks and cleaves the trees is a powerful image that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of words such as "battalions" and "stricken" emphasizes the idea that the trees are soldiers who have been wounded in battle.

As the poem progresses, we see the transformation of the trees from their vibrant summer form to their skeletal winter state. The line "All flesh is grass" is a biblical reference that speaks to the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The decay of the trees is a reminder that all things must come to an end, and that the changing of seasons is a natural part of life.

The Passage of Time

Autumn is a season of transition, marking the end of summer and the beginning of winter. The poem captures this sense of change and the passing of time with lines such as "we are the dwindling autumn sun" and "we are the ghosts of summer's end." The use of the word "ghosts" suggests that the speaker is reflecting on the past and the memories that have been left behind.

The theme of time is also present in the line "Time is the deer that leaves no trace behind." The image of the fleeting deer that leaves no trace behind is a reminder that time waits for no one, and that our lives are but a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of things.

The Beauty of Nature

Despite the melancholy tone of the poem, there is a sense of beauty and wonder that permeates throughout. The line "The world rolls back into its needed sleep" suggests that the changing of seasons is a necessary part of the natural world, and that there is a beauty in the cyclical nature of life.

The use of rich, sensory language also helps to highlight the beauty of nature. The line "The wind leans from Brady's Pond" is a prime example of this, as it creates a vivid image in the reader's mind of the wind bending and swaying.

Symbols in the Poem

There are several symbols in the poem that help to reinforce its themes and messages. One of the most prominent symbols is the tree, which represents the changing of seasons and the passage of time. The image of the "bronzed battalions" of trees emphasizes the idea that they are soldiers in the ongoing battle between summer and winter.

Another symbol in the poem is the deer, which represents time and its fleeting nature. The line "Time is the deer that leaves no trace behind" is a powerful image that speaks to the transience of life.

The Poet's Voice

The voice of the poet in Autumn is one of reflection and contemplation. The use of personal pronouns such as "we" and "our" creates a sense of unity between the speaker and the natural world. The poet seems to be reflecting on the passing of time and the beauty of nature, and is keenly aware of the impermanence of life.

The poet's voice is also one of reverence and awe. The use of rich, sensory language and vivid imagery suggests a deep appreciation for the natural world and its wonders.

Conclusion

Autumn is a masterful poem that captures the essence of the season with its rich imagery, powerful language, and poignant themes. The changing of seasons, the passage of time, and the beauty of nature are all explored in this short but powerful work. As we read and reflect on these themes, we are reminded of the impermanence of life, the importance of appreciating the beauty around us, and the power of language to capture the essence of the world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Autumn by P.K. Page: A Masterpiece of Nature's Beauty

Autumn is a classic poem written by P.K. Page, a Canadian poet, in 1954. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the season of autumn, its colors, and its significance in the cycle of life. The poem is a masterpiece of nature's beauty, and it captures the essence of the season in a way that is both vivid and profound.

The poem begins with the line "The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately creates an image of leaves falling from the sky. The use of the word "far up" suggests that the leaves are falling from a great height, which adds to the sense of wonder and awe that the poem evokes.

The next few lines of the poem describe the colors of the leaves as they fall. The leaves are described as "yellow, orange, and brown," which are the classic colors of autumn. The use of these colors creates a vivid image in the reader's mind, and it helps to convey the beauty of the season.

The poem then goes on to describe the sound of the leaves as they fall. The leaves are described as "rustling," which is a gentle and soothing sound. The use of this word helps to create a sense of calm and tranquility, which is a common feeling associated with autumn.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as it explores the significance of the season. The line "The year is ending in a slow decay" suggests that autumn is a time of endings and decay. However, the poem also suggests that this decay is necessary for new life to begin. The line "And nature, in a hushed expectancy, is waiting for the birth" suggests that autumn is a time of waiting and anticipation, as nature prepares for the new life that will come in the spring.

The poem then goes on to describe the beauty of the season in more detail. The line "The beauty of the world has two edges" suggests that there is both beauty and sadness in the season. The beauty comes from the colors of the leaves and the gentle sound of their rustling, but the sadness comes from the fact that the season is coming to an end.

The poem then ends with the line "It is the time of year when almost everything is in decline." This line reinforces the idea that autumn is a time of endings and decay. However, the poem also suggests that there is beauty in this decline, and that it is necessary for new life to begin.

Overall, Autumn by P.K. Page is a beautiful and profound poem that captures the essence of the season in a way that is both vivid and philosophical. The poem explores the colors, sounds, and significance of autumn, and it does so in a way that is both poetic and insightful. If you are a fan of nature poetry, then Autumn is a must-read.

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