'December At Yase' by Gary Snyder
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The Back Country1968You 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 knownwhere 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 hadLived many lives.And may never now know
If I am a fool
Or have done what mykarma demands.
Editor 1 Interpretation
December At Yase: A Deep Dive Into Gary Snyder's Masterpiece
As a literary critic, I have always been fascinated by the power of poetry to communicate complex emotions and ideas in just a few lines. Few poets can match Gary Snyder in this regard, and his poem "December At Yase" is a prime example of his mastery of language and imagery.
At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple description of a winter landscape: "A clear night after all the rain, / And the mountains gleam a sharp calm." But as we read on, we realize that there is much more going on beneath the surface. Snyder is not just describing the physical world, but also exploring the deeper themes of life, death, and the human condition.
The natural world as a mirror of the human soul
One of the key themes in "December At Yase" is the idea that the natural world reflects the inner state of the human soul. Snyder uses vivid descriptions of the landscape to convey the emotions and thoughts of the speaker:
The moonlight bright on the snowsheds,
And sparrows' wings taking light.
Here, the moonlight and the sparrows' wings become symbols of hope and renewal, as if the speaker is finding solace in the beauty of the world around him. At the same time, however, there is a sense of melancholy and loneliness, as if the speaker is searching for something that he cannot find:
But by then I had given up
Trying to write it.
The repetition of the phrase "I had given up" emphasizes the sense of defeat and resignation, as if the speaker has accepted that there are some things that cannot be put into words.
The search for meaning in a chaotic world
Another important theme in the poem is the idea that the world is a chaotic and unpredictable place, and that it is up to us to find meaning and purpose in the midst of this chaos. Snyder explores this idea through his use of imagery, which is both beautiful and unsettling:
And the creak of the trees in their harness.
The personification of the trees as being "in their harness" suggests a sense of constraint and limitation, as if the natural world is being controlled and manipulated by outside forces. At the same time, however, there is a sense of freedom and possibility, as if the trees are struggling to break free from their bonds.
The image of the moonlight on the snowsheds also suggests a sense of order and structure, as if the world is being held together by some unseen force. But this order is fragile and temporary, as the poem reminds us:
In ten years,
We'll have scratched our heads here,
Looking at these same mountains.
The image of people scratching their heads suggests a sense of confusion and bewilderment, as if they are struggling to make sense of the world around them. And yet, despite this uncertainty, there is also a sense of continuity and resilience, as if the mountains will always be there, no matter what happens.
The role of poetry in exploring the human experience
Perhaps the most important theme in "December At Yase" is the idea that poetry has the power to explore the deepest aspects of the human experience. Snyder suggests that poetry is not just a form of artistic expression, but also a way of understanding ourselves and the world around us:
… I thought
These are the same mountains
Only ten years later
Where I roamed as a kid
A little stronger looking for what
Was calling me.
And I'm still looking.
The repetition of the phrase "looking for what" emphasizes the idea that poetry is a never-ending search for understanding, a quest to uncover the hidden truths of the human experience. And yet, even as the speaker acknowledges the limitations of language and the impossibility of fully capturing the complexity of the world, he still finds solace in the act of writing:
And I'm still looking.
Sometimes I think
I'm finally getting somewhere, and then
I have to stop
And lean on a fencepost,
And after a few minutes
I forget what it was
I thought I understood.
The image of the speaker leaning on a fencepost suggests a sense of fatigue and weariness, as if the act of writing has taken its toll. And yet, even in this moment of uncertainty and doubt, there is a sense of hope and possibility, as if the act of writing has opened up new horizons of understanding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "December At Yase" is a powerful and deeply moving poem that explores the themes of nature, mortality, and the human condition. Through his use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Snyder creates a world that is at once beautiful and unsettling, a world that reflects the inner state of the human soul. Whether we are searching for meaning in a chaotic world, or striving to understand ourselves and our place in the universe, Snyder reminds us that poetry has the power to illuminate the darkest corners of the human experience, and to give voice to the deepest emotions and thoughts that lie within us all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
December At Yase: A Poetic Journey Through Nature and Self-Discovery
Gary Snyder's "December At Yase" is a classic poem that takes the reader on a journey through the natural world and the inner workings of the human mind. The poem is a reflection on the poet's experiences during a winter retreat in the mountains of Japan, where he spent time meditating and contemplating the beauty of the natural world. Through vivid descriptions of the landscape and introspective musings on the self, Snyder creates a powerful and evocative work of poetry that speaks to the human experience in a profound way.
The poem begins with a description of the natural world around Yase, a mountain retreat in Japan where Snyder spent the winter. He describes the "cold wind" and the "frosty trees," setting the scene for a winter landscape that is both beautiful and harsh. The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is both serene and unforgiving. The use of sensory language, such as "crunching" and "whistling," adds to the realism of the scene and draws the reader into the world of the poem.
As the poem progresses, Snyder begins to delve deeper into his own thoughts and feelings. He reflects on the nature of the self, questioning whether it is something that can be truly understood or whether it is a mystery that will always remain unsolved. He writes, "What is self? A flag / blown by the wind, a tent / touched by light, a city / occupied by death." These lines suggest that the self is something that is constantly changing and evolving, and that it is ultimately shaped by external forces beyond our control.
Snyder's contemplation of the self is intertwined with his observations of the natural world. He writes, "The pine tree drops its dead / needles on the rock - / the cold wind blows them away." This image of the pine tree shedding its needles is a metaphor for the impermanence of all things, including the self. Snyder seems to be suggesting that just as the pine tree sheds its needles and is renewed each year, so too must we let go of our attachment to the self and embrace the impermanence of life.
The poem also touches on themes of mindfulness and meditation. Snyder writes, "Sitting quietly, / doing nothing, / spring comes, and the grass grows by itself." This line suggests that by simply being present in the moment and observing the natural world, we can tap into a deeper sense of peace and understanding. Snyder seems to be advocating for a kind of mindfulness that is rooted in nature, one that allows us to connect with the world around us and find meaning in the present moment.
Throughout the poem, Snyder's language is simple and direct, yet it is also rich with meaning and symbolism. He uses imagery from the natural world to explore complex ideas about the self and the human experience. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to convey deep truths about the world around us.
In conclusion, "December At Yase" is a powerful and evocative work of poetry that explores themes of nature, mindfulness, and self-discovery. Through vivid descriptions of the natural world and introspective musings on the self, Snyder creates a work that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to convey deep truths about the world around us.
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