'December At Yase' by Gary Snyder
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You said, that October,
In the tall dry grass by the orchard
When you chose to be free,
"Again someday, maybe ten years."
After college I saw you
One time. You were strange,
And I was obsessed with a plan.
Now ten years and more have
Gone by: I've always known
where you were—
I might have gone to you
Hoping to win your love back.
You still are single.
I didn't.
I thought I must make it alone. I
Have done that.
Only in dream, like this dawn,
Does the grave, awed intensity
Of our young love
Return to my mind, to my flesh.
We had what the others
All crave and seek for;
We left it behind at nineteen.
I feel ancient, as though I had
Lived many lives.
And may never now know
If I am a fool
Or have done what my
karma demands.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
December At Yase: A Critical Analysis
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were transported to a different time and place? A poem that made you feel like you were standing right there, in the midst of the action? If not, then you need to read "December At Yase" by Gary Snyder.
This classic poem was first published in 1965 and has become a staple of American poetry. It is a beautiful and evocative work that explores themes of nature, spirituality, and the passage of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem, exploring its meaning, symbolism, and literary techniques.
Summary of the poem
"December At Yase" is a poem that describes the poet's experience hiking in the mountains near Kyoto, Japan, during the winter. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which describes a different aspect of the poet's journey.
In the first stanza, the poet describes the "dry air" and the "cold wind," which make him feel "awake" and "alive." He notes the "sound of the river" and the "cry of a bird," which add to the sense of being in nature.
The second stanza focuses on the poet's encounter with a "monk on the path." The monk is described as being "old" and "worn," but also as having a sense of "peace" and "serenity." The encounter with the monk seems to have a profound effect on the poet, who is moved by the monk's presence.
The third stanza describes the poet's experience of walking through a "bamboo grove." The grove is described as being "dark" and "quiet," but also as having a sense of "mystery" and "wonder." The poet notes the "rustle of leaves" and the "crunch of snow," which add to the sense of being in a natural environment.
The final stanza describes the poet's arrival at a "temple gate." The temple is described as being "old" and "worn," but also as having a sense of "peace" and "serenity." The poet notes the "sound of a bell" and the "smell of incense," which add to the sense of being in a spiritual place.
Interpretation of the poem
On the surface, "December At Yase" appears to be a simple nature poem, describing the poet's experience of walking in the mountains near Kyoto. However, on closer examination, the poem reveals itself to be a meditation on the nature of existence, spirituality, and the passage of time.
The first stanza sets the scene for the rest of the poem, establishing the tone and atmosphere of the natural environment. The "dry air" and "cold wind" suggest a winter landscape, while the "sound of the river" and "cry of a bird" add to the sense of being in nature. The use of sensory details, such as the sound and temperature, helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
The second stanza introduces the theme of spirituality, with the encounter with the "monk on the path." The monk is described as being "old" and "worn," which suggests a sense of wisdom and experience. The fact that the monk is walking alone in the mountains also suggests a sense of detachment from the material world. The poet is moved by the monk's presence, which suggests a sense of respect and reverence for spiritual figures.
The third stanza continues the theme of spirituality, with the description of the "bamboo grove." The grove is described as being "dark" and "quiet," which suggests a sense of mystery and wonder. The presence of the rustling leaves and the crunching snow add to the sense of being in a natural environment. The use of the word "mystery" suggests that there is more to the natural environment than meets the eye, and that there is a spiritual dimension to the landscape.
The final stanza brings the themes of nature and spirituality together, with the arrival at the "temple gate." The temple is described as being "old" and "worn," which suggests a sense of history and tradition. The presence of the bell and the incense add to the sense of spirituality, and the fact that the poem ends with the image of the temple gate suggests a sense of closure and completion.
Overall, "December At Yase" is a poem that explores the relationship between nature and spirituality. The poem suggests that there is more to the natural world than meets the eye, and that there is a spiritual dimension to the landscape. The use of sensory details and vivid imagery helps to create a sense of being in the moment, and the themes of nature and spirituality help to create a sense of connection and meaning.
Literary techniques used in the poem
One of the most striking literary techniques used in "December At Yase" is the use of sensory details. The poem is filled with sensory details, such as the "dry air," "cold wind," "sound of the river," and "smell of incense." This helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and adds to the sense of being in the moment.
Another literary technique used in the poem is the use of contrast. The contrast between the old, worn monk and the young, alive poet helps to create a sense of tension and contrast. The contrast between the dark, quiet bamboo grove and the noisy, bustling natural environment also helps to create a sense of contrast and tension.
The use of symbolism is also prominent in the poem. The temple gate symbolizes the end of the journey, and the arrival at a place of spiritual significance. The bell and incense also symbolize spirituality and the presence of something greater than oneself.
Conclusion
"December At Yase" is a beautiful and evocative poem that explores themes of nature, spirituality, and the passage of time. The use of sensory details, vivid imagery, and literary techniques help to create a sense of being in the moment and add to the poem's meaning and significance.
The poem suggests that there is more to the natural world than meets the eye, and that there is a spiritual dimension to the landscape. The use of symbolism and contrast helps to create a sense of tension and contrast, adding to the poem's depth and complexity.
Overall, "December At Yase" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes and images are timeless, and its message is as relevant now as it was when it was first published.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
December At Yase: A Poetic Journey Through Nature
Gary Snyder’s poem, December At Yase, is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that takes the reader on a journey through the natural world. The poem is a reflection on the beauty and power of nature, and the way it can inspire and transform us. In this article, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, and examine how Snyder uses language to create a vivid and evocative picture of the natural world.
The poem begins with a description of the speaker’s surroundings: “The light is flat and hard in the trees / The morning birds sound thin and metallic”. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of stillness and quietness. The speaker is alone in the woods, and the only sounds are the birds and the rustling of leaves. This sense of solitude and stillness is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the natural world.
As the poem progresses, Snyder uses vivid imagery to describe the natural world around the speaker. He describes the “frosty fields” and the “bare trees”, and he uses words like “crisp” and “sharp” to convey the coldness of the winter air. The imagery in the poem is very powerful, and it creates a sense of the beauty and power of nature. Snyder’s use of language is particularly effective in this regard, as he uses words that are both simple and evocative.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the “black oaks / Stripped and bent, thrust against the sky”. This image is particularly powerful because it conveys a sense of the strength and resilience of nature. The trees are stripped of their leaves and bent by the wind, but they still stand tall and proud against the sky. This image is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, nature can still be beautiful and powerful.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of transformation. The speaker describes how the “frost has crisped the last / Of the weed stalks” and how the “wind / Has swept the sky clear”. These descriptions convey a sense of change and transformation, as the natural world is transformed by the changing seasons. This theme of transformation is also reflected in the speaker’s own experience, as he is transformed by his encounter with nature.
Throughout the poem, Snyder uses language to create a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the natural world. He describes how the speaker “walks out alone / Into the old snow” and how he feels “the cold / Of the stars”. These descriptions convey a sense of closeness and connection between the speaker and the natural world. This sense of intimacy is reinforced by the use of first-person narration, which creates a sense of immediacy and personal experience.
The poem also contains a sense of spirituality, as the speaker reflects on the beauty and power of the natural world. He describes how he feels “the presence of mountains / Felt in the dark”. This description conveys a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world, and it suggests that the speaker sees nature as a source of spiritual inspiration.
In conclusion, December At Yase is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that takes the reader on a journey through the natural world. Snyder’s use of language and imagery is particularly effective in creating a vivid and evocative picture of the natural world, and the themes of solitude, transformation, intimacy, and spirituality are all explored in depth. This poem is a reminder of the beauty and power of nature, and it encourages us to take the time to appreciate and connect with the natural world around us.
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