'Poem (Remember midsummer: the fragrance of box)' by Delmore Schwartz

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1962Remember midsummer: the fragrance of box, of whiteroses
And of phlox. And upon a honeysuckle branchThree snails hanging with infinite delicacy
-- Clinging like tendril, flake and thread, as self-tormented
And self-delighted as any ballerina,just as in the orchard,
Near the apple trees, in the over-grown grasses
Drunken wasps clung to over-ripe pears
Which had fallen: swollen and disfigured.
For now it is wholly autumn: in the late
Afternoon as I walked toward the ridge where the hillsbegin,
There is a whir, a thrashing in the bush, and a startledpheasant, flying out and up,
Suddenly astonished me, breaking the waking dream.Last night
Snatches of sleep, streaked by dreams and half dreams
- So that, aloft in the dim sky, for almost an hour,
A sausage balloon - chalk-white and lifeless looking--floated motionless
Until, at midnight, I went to New Bedlam and saw what Ifearedthe most - I heard nothing, but ithad all happened several times elsewhere.Now, in the cold glittering morning, shining at thewindow,
The pears hang, yellowed and over-ripe, sodden brown inerratic places, all bunched and dangling,
Like a small choir of bagpipes, silent and waiting. And Irise now,
Go to the window and gaze at the fallen or falling country
-- And see! -- the fields are pencilled light brownor are the dark brownness of the last autumn
-- So much has shrunken to straight brown lines, thin asthebare thin trees,
Save where the cornstalks, white bones of the lost forever dead,
Shrivelled and fallen, but shrill-voiced when the windwhistles,
Are scattered like the long abandoned hopes and ambitionsOf an adolescence which, for a very long time, has beenmerely
A recurrent target and taunt of the inescapable mockery ofmemory.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Remember Midsummer: The Fragrance of Box

Delmore Schwartz, an American poet and short story writer, wrote the poem "Remember Midsummer: The Fragrance of Box" in 1940. This poem is a love poem that describes the beauty of midsummer and the emotions that it evokes in the speaker. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in the poem.

Theme

The central theme of the poem is love. The speaker is deeply in love with someone, and midsummer evokes memories of their time together. The fragrant box tree reminds the speaker of their lover's scent, and the beauty of the season reminds them of the joy they feel when they are together. The theme of love is also reflected in the imagery used in the poem, as the speaker describes the beauty of the natural world in a way that reflects their lover's beauty.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the passage of time. The speaker reflects on the transience of midsummer, and how it will eventually give way to autumn and winter. The fragrant box tree, too, will eventually wither and die. This theme is reflective of the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of change.

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its vivid imagery. The speaker uses evocative language to describe the natural world, painting a picture of midsummer in the reader's mind. The fragrance of the box tree is described as "sweet, faint, and delicate," while the flowers are said to be "rich and gay." The sun is described as "burning bright," and the air is filled with the sounds of "birds and bees."

The imagery used in the poem is not just descriptive, however. It is also highly symbolic. The box tree, for example, is used as a symbol of the speaker's lover. The fragrance of the tree is reminiscent of the scent of the speaker's lover, and the tree is described as being "near, tall, and green," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's lover being physically close, emotionally strong, and full of life.

Structure

The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. There is no consistent rhyme scheme, but the poem does have a musical quality to it. The repetition of certain words and phrases, such as "midsummer," "sweet," and "box," contributes to this musicality.

The structure of the poem is also noteworthy in that it mirrors the passage of time. The first stanza describes midsummer as it is happening, while the second stanza reflects on the past. The third stanza looks to the future, imagining the eventual end of midsummer, while the fourth and final stanza returns to the present moment, once again describing the beauty of midsummer.

Literary Devices

A number of literary devices are used in the poem to create meaning and evoke emotion. One example is personification, which is used to give the natural world a sense of agency. The sun is described as "burning bright," for example, which personifies it and gives it a sense of power and vitality.

Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The box tree, as mentioned earlier, is used as a metaphor for the speaker's lover. The use of this metaphor helps to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the natural world and the speaker's personal life.

The poem also makes use of repetition to create emphasis and rhythm. The repetition of certain words and phrases, such as "midsummer" and "sweet," helps to create a sense of musicality and continuity throughout the poem.

Interpretation

"Remember Midsummer: The Fragrance of Box" is a powerful love poem that evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing. The poem's vivid imagery and evocative language create a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and the natural world, as well as between the speaker and their lover. The use of symbolism and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem, while the structure and use of literary devices help to create a sense of rhythm and continuity.

At its core, the poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of love and the inevitability of change. The passage of time is a constant presence in the poem, reminding the reader that midsummer, like all things, will eventually come to an end. But despite this transience, the speaker's love for their lover remains strong, and the memory of their time together continues to evoke powerful emotions.

In conclusion, "Remember Midsummer: The Fragrance of Box" is a masterful poem that explores themes of love, time, and the beauty of the natural world. Its vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and expert use of literary devices help to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the reader and the speaker's world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Remember midsummer: the fragrance of box - a classic poem by Delmore Schwartz that has stood the test of time. This beautiful piece of literature is a perfect example of how poetry can capture the essence of a moment and transport the reader to a different time and place. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning behind the words and explore the themes that Schwartz has expertly woven into this masterpiece.

The poem begins with the line "Remember midsummer: the fragrance of box." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "remember" suggests that the speaker is reminiscing about a past experience. The mention of "midsummer" conjures up images of long, warm days and lazy afternoons spent in the sun. The "fragrance of box" adds a sensory element to the poem, allowing the reader to imagine the sweet, earthy scent of the plant.

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes a scene from their past. They recall a time when they were "young and foolish" and "full of dreams." This nostalgic tone is further emphasized by the use of the past tense throughout the poem. The speaker is looking back on a time that has long since passed, and they are filled with a sense of longing for those days.

The next few lines of the poem describe the setting in more detail. The speaker mentions a "garden by the sea" and describes the "white walls" and "blue sky" that surrounded them. This imagery creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and adds to the overall nostalgic feel of the poem. The use of color is particularly effective here, as the white and blue create a sense of calm and tranquility.

As the poem continues, the speaker describes a moment of pure joy. They recall dancing with a woman in the garden, feeling the warmth of the sun on their skin and the soft grass beneath their feet. This moment is described as "perfect" and "eternal," suggesting that it was a moment of pure happiness that will stay with the speaker forever.

However, this moment of joy is short-lived. The speaker quickly realizes that this moment cannot last forever. They describe the feeling of "fear and sadness" that crept into their heart, knowing that this moment would soon come to an end. This realization is a common theme in literature, as it highlights the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of change.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most poignant. The speaker describes how they "turned away" from the woman they were dancing with, knowing that they would never be able to recapture that moment again. This moment of regret is a powerful one, as it highlights the speaker's realization that they have lost something precious.

Overall, Remember midsummer: the fragrance of box is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of a moment in time. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Delmore Schwartz has created a piece of literature that is both nostalgic and poignant. The themes of happiness, regret, and the fleeting nature of time are expertly woven into the poem, making it a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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