'Autumn' by P.K. Page

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Whoever has no house now will never have one.Whoever is alone will stay aloneWill sit, read, write long letters through the eveningAnd wander on the boulevards, up and down...- from Autumn Day, Rainer Maria RilkeIts stain is everywhere.
The sharpening air
of late afternoon
is now the colour of tea.
Once-glycerined green leaves
burned by a summer sun
are brittle and ochre.
Night enters day like a thief.
And children fear that the beautiful daylight has gone.
Whoever has no house now will never have one.It is the best and the worst time.
Around a fire, everyone laughing,
brocaded curtains drawn,
nowhere-anywhere-is more safe than here.
The whole world is a cup
one could hold in one's hand like a stone
warmed by that same summer sun.
But the dead or the near dead
are now all knucklebone.
Whoever is alone will stay alone.Nothing to do. Nothing to really do.
Toast and tea are nothing.
Kettle boils dry.
Shut the night out or let it in,
it is a cat on the wrong side of the door
whichever side it is on. A black thing
with its implacable face.
To avoid it you
will tell yourself you are something,
will sit, read, write long letters through the evening.Even though there is bounty, a full harvest
that sharp sweetness in the tea-stained air
is reserved for those who have made a straw
fine as a hair to suck it through-
fine as a golden hair.
Wearing a smile or a frown
God's face is always there.
It is up to you
if you take your wintry restlessness into the town
and wander on the boulevards, up and down.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Autumn by P.K. Page: Exploring the Multifaceted Nature of Time and Change

As we approach the end of another year, it is natural to reflect on the passing of time and the inevitability of change. In her poem "Autumn," P.K. Page captures these themes with vivid imagery and a hauntingly beautiful tone. Through a detailed analysis of the poem, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The Poem

Before diving into the analysis, let's first take a look at the poem itself:

Lord, it is time. The summer was immense.
Lay thy shadow on the sundials,
and on the meadows let the winds go loose.

Command the last fruits that they shall be full;
give them another two more southerly days,
press them on to fulfillment, and chase
the last sweetness into the heavy wine.

Whoever has no house now, will never have one.
Whoever is alone now, will remain so for a long time,
will stay up, read, write long letters,
and wander the barren streets, restlessly,
while the leaves are blowing.

Analysis

The poem begins with an invocation to the Christian God, asking for time to be marked and the seasons to change. The first line, "Lord, it is time," sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which deals with the passage of time and the changes that come with it. This opening line also establishes a sense of urgency, as if the speaker is aware of the fleeting nature of time and wants to make the most of it.

The next line, "The summer was immense," is a powerful statement that immediately conjures up images of a long, hot, and intense season. The word "immense" is particularly evocative, suggesting that the summer was overwhelming in some way, perhaps too long or too hot to handle. This creates a sense of contrast with the rest of the poem, which is focused on the changing of the seasons and the coming of autumn.

The third line, "Lay thy shadow on the sundials," is a symbolic gesture that marks the passing of time. Sundials are a traditional way of telling time, and the shadow cast by the sun across the dial marks the hours of the day. By asking for God's shadow to be laid on the sundials, the speaker is acknowledging the importance of time and its influence on our lives.

The fourth line, "and on the meadows let the winds go loose," introduces the idea of change and movement. The winds are a powerful force of nature that can bring about change, and by letting them go loose on the meadows, the speaker is suggesting that change is necessary and inevitable.

The fifth line, "Command the last fruits that they shall be full," is a metaphorical statement that can be interpreted in a few different ways. On one level, it is a literal command to the fruits of the season to ripen and become full. However, it can also be seen as a metaphor for the end of a season, and the need to make the most of what we have before it is gone.

The next line, "give them another two more southerly days," reinforces the idea of making the most of what we have before it is gone. By giving the fruits two more days to ripen, the speaker is suggesting that we should take advantage of every moment we have, rather than letting it slip away.

The seventh line, "press them on to fulfillment, and chase the last sweetness into the heavy wine," is a continuation of the metaphor of the fruits. Here, the speaker is suggesting that we should strive for fulfillment and sweetness in our lives, just as the fruits are being pressed to become wine. This is a powerful metaphor that suggests that we should make the most of what we have, and strive for the best possible outcome.

The eighth and ninth lines, "Whoever has no house now, will never have one. Whoever is alone now, will remain so for a long time," introduce a new theme of loss and loneliness. The speaker is suggesting that if you don't have something now, you may never have it. This creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the importance of taking action and making the most of what we have.

The tenth line, "will stay up, read, write long letters," is a continuation of the theme of loneliness. Here, the speaker is suggesting that those who are alone will spend their time reading, writing, and communicating with others. This creates a sense of isolation, as if the speaker is suggesting that those who are alone will have nothing else to do but read and write.

The eleventh line, "and wander the barren streets, restlessly," introduces a new sense of movement and restlessness. The streets are barren, suggesting that there is nothing to do or see, and the speaker is suggesting that those who are alone will wander them restlessly, searching for something to do or someone to talk to.

The final line, "while the leaves are blowing," brings the poem full circle, returning to the theme of change and time. The leaves blowing suggest the passing of time, and the fact that they are blowing suggests movement and change. This creates a sense of closure, as if the poem is coming to an end and the reader is left to reflect on its meaning and significance.

Interpretation

So, what does "Autumn" mean? At its core, the poem is about the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The speaker is suggesting that we should make the most of what we have, and strive for fulfillment and sweetness in our lives. However, there is also a sense of loss and loneliness, as if the speaker is acknowledging the difficulty of change and the fact that we must often leave things behind.

There is also a sense of urgency in the poem, as if the speaker is aware of the fleeting nature of time and wants to make the most of it. This creates a sense of tension and urgency that adds to the poem's power and resonance.

Overall, "Autumn" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the multifaceted nature of time and change. It is a reminder that we should make the most of what we have, and strive for fulfillment and sweetness in our lives, while also acknowledging the difficulty of change and the inevitability of loss. It is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has ever faced change, loss, or the passing of time, and it is a testament to P.K. Page's skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Autumn is a season that is often associated with change, transformation, and the beauty of nature. It is a time when the leaves turn from green to shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the air becomes crisp and cool. In the classic poem "Autumn" by P.K. Page, the author captures the essence of this season and its many moods and emotions. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.

The poem "Autumn" is a free-verse poem that consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in the first person, and the speaker is reflecting on the changing season and its impact on their emotions. The poem begins with the line "I love the fall of the year," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is expressing their admiration for the season and all that it represents.

One of the main themes of the poem is the idea of change and transformation. The speaker describes how the leaves are "turning from green to gold," and how the "wind is blowing colder." These images convey the idea that everything is in a state of flux, and that nothing stays the same forever. The speaker seems to embrace this idea of change, as they describe how they "love the fall of the year" and all that it brings.

Another theme that is present in the poem is the idea of beauty and its fleeting nature. The speaker describes how the leaves are "turning from green to gold," and how the "sun is setting earlier." These images convey the idea that beauty is temporary, and that it is important to appreciate it while it lasts. The speaker seems to be urging the reader to take notice of the beauty around them, and to cherish it before it is gone.

The imagery used in the poem is vivid and evocative. The speaker describes how the leaves are "turning from green to gold," and how the "wind is blowing colder." These images create a sense of movement and change, and they help to convey the mood and emotions of the speaker. The use of color imagery is also effective, as it helps to create a visual picture of the changing season. The use of the word "gold" to describe the leaves is particularly effective, as it conveys a sense of richness and warmth.

The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also poetic and lyrical. The use of repetition is effective, as it helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow. The repetition of the phrase "I love the fall of the year" is particularly effective, as it helps to reinforce the speaker's admiration for the season. The use of alliteration is also effective, as it helps to create a sense of musicality and harmony. The phrase "leaves are turning from green to gold" is an example of effective alliteration.

The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative. The speaker is reflecting on the changing season and its impact on their emotions. The tone is also somewhat nostalgic, as the speaker seems to be reminiscing about past autumns and the memories associated with them. The tone is also somewhat wistful, as the speaker seems to be acknowledging the fleeting nature of beauty and the passing of time.

In conclusion, "Autumn" by P.K. Page is a classic poem that captures the essence of the changing season and its many moods and emotions. The poem explores themes of change, transformation, beauty, and the passing of time. The imagery used in the poem is vivid and evocative, and the language is simple yet poetic. The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, and it conveys a sense of admiration and nostalgia for the season. Overall, "Autumn" is a beautiful and timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.

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