'October 12' by David Lehman

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My bag was missing at the airport
"Just one bag?" "Yes, but it meant a lot to me"
I had seen the bartender before, but where?
"You didn't tell me you had been to Oxford"
"Yes, I was at Magdalen College for two years"
"What did you do there?" "Drugs."
"Did you know that in Hindi the same word
(kal, pronounced 'kull') means both
yesterday and tomorrow?" "You don't say.
What'll you have?" "Bombay Martini straight up,
with olives, very dry and very cold." "I like
a man who knows what he wants" "Well, I'll
tell you. She was a handsome, self-assured woman,
a practicing physician, 48, bright, in great shape,
played tennis every Friday night,
didn't drink, smoke, or take drugs,
and was looking for a Romeo with brains.
So naturally I didn't phone her"

Editor 1 Interpretation

October 12 by David Lehman: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

“October 12” by David Lehman is one of the most celebrated poems in modern American literature. The poem creates a powerful sense of nostalgia, captured through the vivid imagery of the poet’s childhood memories. Through the use of a variety of literary devices, Lehman transports the reader to a time and place that no longer exists, and in doing so, creates a universal sense of loss and longing.

The Poet's Background

David Lehman is an American poet, literary critic, and editor. He was born in New York City in 1948 and has published many collections of poetry, essays, and criticism. His work is known for its eclectic style, combining humor, satire, and social commentary.

An Overview of the Poem

“October 12” is a poem that explores the theme of memory and loss. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the poet’s childhood memories. The poem starts with a description of the autumn landscape as seen through the eyes of a child. The second stanza deals with the poet’s recollection of his father’s death, while the third stanza describes the poet’s love of baseball. The final stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past.

The Use of Imagery

Lehman uses vivid imagery to create a sense of nostalgia in the poem. The opening stanza, for example, describes the autumn landscape in detail: “The leaves are falling, falling as from far, / As distant gardens withered in the sky; / They fall, and never seem to fall awry.” The use of the word “falling” is repeated three times in the first two lines, emphasizing the sense of loss and decay that is central to the poem. The description of “distant gardens” and the use of the word “withered” creates a powerful image of the passing of time, as well as the beauty of nature.

The Tone of the Poem

The tone of “October 12” is one of sadness and regret, as well as a sense of longing for a time and place that no longer exists. This is particularly evident in the second stanza, where the poet describes his father’s death: “The day my father died I was playing / baseball in the field behind our house.” The juxtaposition of the playful, carefree activity of playing baseball with the tragedy of his father’s death highlights the sense of loss and regret that is central to the poem.

The Role of Baseball

Baseball is a central theme in the poem, and Lehman uses it to create a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past. The third stanza of the poem describes the poet’s love of baseball: “I loved the game, the thrill of the grass, / The sweet sharp crack of a line-drive hit, / The wretched, steamy odor of sweat.” The use of sensory imagery in this stanza creates a powerful image of the love of the game, as well as the sense of nostalgia for a time and place that no longer exists.

The Use of Metaphor

Lehman uses metaphor to create a powerful sense of loss and longing in the poem. In the second stanza, for example, he describes his father’s death as a “fall from grace.” This metaphor creates a powerful image of the tragedy of his father’s death, as well as a sense of the loss of innocence that is central to the poem.

The Role of Memory

Memory is a central theme in “October 12,” and Lehman uses it to explore the theme of loss and longing. The poem is structured around the poet’s memories of his childhood, and each stanza describes a different aspect of these memories. The use of memory in the poem creates a sense of nostalgia for a time and place that no longer exists, as well as a sense of loss and regret for what has been lost.

The Universal Theme

Despite the specificity of the poet’s memories, the theme of loss and longing is universal, and the poem speaks to a larger human experience. The poem captures the sense of nostalgia and longing that is inherent in the passage of time, as well as the universal experience of loss and regret.

Conclusion

In “October 12,” David Lehman creates a powerful sense of nostalgia and longing through the use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and memory. The poem speaks to a larger human experience, capturing the sense of loss and regret that is inherent in the passage of time. The use of baseball and the central role of memory in the poem add to its universal appeal, making it a powerful work of modern American literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

October 12 by David Lehman is a classic poem that captures the essence of autumn in a beautiful and vivid way. The poem is a celebration of the season, and it is written in a way that makes the reader feel as though they are experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn for themselves. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the line, "It is the autumn of the year," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Lehman is announcing that this is a poem about autumn, and he is inviting the reader to join him in celebrating the season. The use of the word "autumn" instead of "fall" is significant because it is a more formal and poetic term. It sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is filled with beautiful and poetic language.

The first stanza of the poem describes the colors of autumn. Lehman writes, "The leaves are turning red and gold, / The air is crisp and cold." These lines create a vivid picture of the changing leaves and the chill in the air. The use of the words "red and gold" is significant because these are the colors most associated with autumn. The colors of the leaves are a symbol of the changing seasons and the passage of time.

The second stanza of the poem describes the sounds of autumn. Lehman writes, "The geese are flying south, / The squirrels are gathering nuts." These lines create a sense of movement and activity. The geese flying south is a symbol of migration and change, while the squirrels gathering nuts is a symbol of preparation for the winter months. The use of these images creates a sense of urgency and activity, which is a hallmark of autumn.

The third stanza of the poem describes the smells of autumn. Lehman writes, "The smell of wood smoke fills the air, / The pumpkins are ripe and fair." These lines create a sense of warmth and comfort. The smell of wood smoke is a symbol of the warmth of a fire on a cold autumn night, while the pumpkins are a symbol of the harvest season. The use of these images creates a sense of comfort and familiarity, which is another hallmark of autumn.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the feelings of autumn. Lehman writes, "The days are getting shorter, / The nights are getting longer." These lines create a sense of change and transition. The shorter days and longer nights are a symbol of the changing seasons and the passage of time. The use of these images creates a sense of nostalgia and reflection, which is another hallmark of autumn.

The final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together. Lehman writes, "It is the autumn of the year, / A time of change and cheer." These lines capture the essence of the poem. Autumn is a time of change, but it is also a time of celebration. The use of the word "cheer" is significant because it creates a sense of joy and happiness. The poem ends on a positive note, which is a reflection of the season itself.

In terms of language, Lehman uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of alliteration in the line "The leaves are turning red and gold" creates a sense of repetition and rhythm. The use of rhyme in the line "The pumpkins are ripe and fair" creates a sense of harmony and balance. The use of imagery throughout the poem creates a sense of vividness and depth.

Overall, October 12 by David Lehman is a beautiful and poetic celebration of autumn. The poem captures the essence of the season in a way that is both vivid and reflective. The use of imagery, language, and themes creates a sense of rhythm and flow that is both engaging and enjoyable. This poem is a classic for a reason, and it is a must-read for anyone who loves autumn.

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