'September' by Helen Hunt Jackson


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1The golden-rod is yellow;
2The corn is turning brown;
3The trees in apple orchards
4With fruit are bending down.

5The gentian's bluest fringes
6Are curling in the sun;
7In dusty pods the milkweed
8Its hidden silk has spun.

9The sedges flaunt their harvest,
10In every meadow nook;
11And asters by the brook-side
12Make asters in the brook,

13From dewy lanes at morning
14The grapes' sweet odors rise;
15At noon the roads all flutter
16With yellow butterflies.

17By all these lovely tokens
18September days are here,
19With summer's best of weather,
20And autumn's best of cheer.

21But none of all this beauty
22Which floods the earth and air
23Is unto me the secret
24Which makes September fair.

25'T is a thing which I remember;
26To name it thrills me yet:
27One day of one September
28I never can forget.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Beautiful Ode to September: An Analysis of Helen Hunt Jackson's Poetry

Have you ever read a poem that just transports you to a different world, a different time, and a different season? That's exactly what Helen Hunt Jackson's poem "September" does. It takes you on a journey through nature, exploring the beauty of autumn and the changing of the seasons.

An Introduction to the Poet and the Poem

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to get to know the poet behind it. Helen Hunt Jackson was an American writer and activist who lived from 1830 to 1885. She is best known for her novel "Ramona," which portrayed the mistreatment of Native Americans in California. However, Jackson was also a prolific poet, and "September" is just one of the many beautiful works she created.

"September" was first published in the Atlantic Monthly in 1875. It is a sonnet, which means it follows a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Jackson's sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, which means it has ten syllables per line and follows a stressed-unstressed pattern.

The Poem: A Closer Look

Now, let's take a closer look at "September" itself. The poem is only 14 lines long, but it manages to pack a lot of imagery and emotion into those few lines. Here is the poem in its entirety:

The golden-rod is yellow;
The corn is turning brown;
The trees in apple orchards
With fruit are bending down.

The gentian’s bluest fringes
Are curling in the sun;
In dusty pods the milkweed
Its hidden silk has spun.

The sedges flaunt their harvest,
In every meadow nook;
And asters by the brook-side
Make asters in the brook.

From dewy lanes at morning
The grapes’ sweet odors rise;
At noon the roads all flutter
With yellow butterflies.

As you can see, the poem is structured in three quatrains (stanzas of four lines) and a final couplet (two lines). Each quatrain focuses on a different aspect of nature and the changing of the seasons.

In the first quatrain, we see the golden-rod and the corn. These plants are often associated with autumn, as they begin to change color and prepare for harvest. The image of the trees in apple orchards bending down with the weight of the fruit is particularly evocative – you can almost feel the weight of the apples in your hand.

The second quatrain shifts to more delicate plants, such as the gentian and the milkweed. The gentian's "bluest fringes" are a beautiful image, and the idea of the milkweed spinning its "hidden silk" is almost magical.

The third quatrain brings us back to the harvest, with the sedges flaunting their bounty and the asters blooming by the brook. This stanza also introduces movement into the poem, as the asters in the brook create a reflection of themselves.

Finally, the couplet brings us to a specific moment in the day – morning and noon. In the morning, the grapes' sweet scent rises from the dewy lanes, while at noon, the roads are alive with yellow butterflies.

The Magic of September

So, what is it about September that makes it such a magical time of year? Jackson's poem suggests that it is a combination of things – the changing colors of the plants, the harvest, and the movement of the animals and insects.

But there is something else at play here, too. September marks the transition from summer to fall, from warmth to coolness, from growth to dormancy. There is a certain melancholy to this time of year, as we say goodbye to the carefree days of summer and prepare for the colder, darker months ahead.

However, there is also a sense of anticipation in September. We look forward to the crisp days of fall, the changing leaves, and the coziness of sweaters and scarves. There is a sense of renewal in this transition, as we prepare for the next phase of the year.

Jackson's poem captures all of these emotions and more. It celebrates the beauty of September while acknowledging the bittersweet nature of the season.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "September" is a beautiful ode to a magical time of year. Jackson's careful attention to detail and use of imagery creates a vivid picture of the changing of the seasons. However, the poem is more than just a description of nature – it also captures the emotions and feelings associated with this time of year.

As we read "September," we are reminded of the beauty and fragility of nature, and of the cyclical nature of life itself. We are encouraged to embrace the changes that come with the changing of the seasons, and to find joy in the small moments that make life so magical.

So, the next time you find yourself walking through a field of golden-rod, or catching a whiff of grapes on a dewy morning, remember the words of Helen Hunt Jackson and take a moment to appreciate the beauty of September.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry September: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Imagery

Helen Hunt Jackson's "Poetry September" is a classic poem that captures the essence of autumn and the emotions that come with it. The poem is a beautiful blend of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a deep understanding of human emotions. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices to understand why it has stood the test of time.

The poem begins with the line, "There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of autumn and its beauty. The speaker goes on to describe the "pleasant and sunny spots" that can be found in October, such as the "golden light" that bathes the landscape and the "crimson and gold" leaves that fall from the trees.

The poem's first stanza is a beautiful example of imagery. The speaker describes the "crimson and gold" leaves falling from the trees, creating a "carpet" on the ground. The image of the leaves falling like rain is a powerful metaphor for the changing of the seasons and the passage of time. The leaves are also described as "wreaths" and "garlands," which adds to the beauty of the scene.

The second stanza of the poem is where the emotions come into play. The speaker describes the feeling of melancholy that comes with autumn. The line, "The melancholy days are come, the saddest of the year," captures the essence of the season. The speaker goes on to describe the "sighing" of the wind and the "mournful" sound of the birds. These images create a sense of sadness and loss, which is a common emotion associated with autumn.

The third stanza of the poem is a beautiful example of personification. The speaker describes the "frosty" nights and the "bright" days, which are personified as "children." The image of the frost and the sun as children is a powerful metaphor for the changing of the seasons. The frost represents the cold and darkness of winter, while the sun represents the warmth and light of spring. The use of personification adds depth and meaning to the poem.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a celebration of nature. The speaker describes the "purple" and "yellow" flowers that bloom in autumn, and the "bright" and "crimson" berries that grow on the bushes. The image of the flowers and berries is a metaphor for the beauty and abundance of nature. The speaker also describes the "blue" and "bright" sky, which adds to the beauty of the scene.

The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the passage of time. The speaker describes how quickly autumn passes, and how soon winter will be upon us. The line, "And winter, slumbering in the open air, wears on his smiling face a dream of spring," is a powerful metaphor for the cyclical nature of life. The speaker is reminding us that even though autumn is beautiful, it is also fleeting, and we must appreciate it while we can.

The structure of the poem is simple and effective. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which adds to the musicality of the poem. The use of imagery, metaphors, and personification adds depth and meaning to the poem.

In conclusion, "Poetry September" is a masterpiece of emotion and imagery. The poem captures the essence of autumn and the emotions that come with it. The use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and personification creates a beautiful and meaningful poem. The poem's structure is simple and effective, which adds to its musicality. Helen Hunt Jackson's "Poetry September" is a classic poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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