Autumn by P.K.

Page

Overview of the Poem

Autumn is a short poem consis ng of eight stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is wri en in free
verse and does not follow a par cular rhyme scheme. The themes of the poem revolve around the
changing of seasons, the passage of me, 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
ba alions of the stricken trees." The personifica on 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 "ba alions" and "stricken" emphasizes the idea that the trees are soldiers who have been
wounded in ba le.

As the poem progresses, we see the transforma on 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 flee ng
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 transi on, marking the end of summer and the beginning of winter. The poem
captures this sense of change and the passing of me 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 reflec ng on the past and the memories that have been le behind.The theme of me
is also present in the line "Time is the deer that leaves no trace behind." The image of the flee ng
deer that leaves no trace behind is a reminder that me waits for no one, and that our lives are but a
flee ng 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
me. The image of the "bronzed ba alions" of trees emphasizes the idea that they are soldiers in the
ongoing ba le between summer and winter. Another symbol in the poem is the deer, which
represents me and its flee ng 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 reflec on and contempla on. 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 reflec ng on the passing of me 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 apprecia on 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 me, 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 apprecia ng the beauty around us, and
the power of language to capture the essence of the world.

Analysis and Explana on

A Masterpiece of Nature's Beauty
Autumn is a classic poem wri en by P.K. Page, a Canadian poet, in 1954. The poem is a beau ful
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 me 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 wai ng for the birth" suggests that autumn is a me of wai ng and
an cipa on, 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 me of year when almost everything is in decline." This
line reinforces the idea that autumn is a me 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 beau ful 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 poe c and insigh ul. If you are a fan of
nature poetry, then Autumn is a must-read.