'Onondaga, Early December' by Hayden Carruth
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lights in the twilight,
lights of Solvay over the expanse of frozen snow-coveredlake,
orange lights of the refineries,
yellow and green and red lights of the neon along thestrip,
lights as if undersea, the argon just coming to exist,
all lights in the cold moisture of the grounded wind
staggering across the lake at twilight
are blurred, are meaningless, they call, together,
with a sound unintelligible and of no interest;
but in the slate sky above the imagined horizon
like an old lantern left long ago on top of a heap of slag
the evening star alone is bright and clear
and alone responds to this knowledge of death too soon
that comes in the loneliness of twilight and dying wind,
the loneliness of decayed and useless and ragged fear
and the soundless cry for a thing that has no name. . . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
Onondaga, Early December by Hayden Carruth: A Critique and Interpretation
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the world underwent a massive change in terms of how humans interacted with each other and nature. The growth of factories, cities, and transportation networks altered the physical and psychological landscapes, affecting the way people perceived themselves and their environment. Amidst this upheaval, nature poetry emerged as a counterpoint to the dominant capitalist culture, providing an avenue for human beings to reconnect with the natural world. One such poem that stands out for its captivating portrayal of nature's beauty and spirituality is Hayden Carruth's “Onondaga, Early December.” In this essay, we will examine the themes, imagery, and language of the poem to understand its place in the genre of nature poetry.
The Theme of Transience
One of the central themes of “Onondaga, Early December” is transience. The poem begins by setting the temporal and spatial parameters, situating the reader in a specific time and place:
The day is bright and cold, and the light
is different in December: the trees
are low and the sun angles long
By opening with these lines, Carruth establishes the transitory nature of the scene. The “bright and cold” day is a fleeting moment, soon to be replaced by darkness and the bitterness of winter. The trees, “low” and “bare,” illustrate how nature goes through cycles of growth and decay, mirroring the life and death of human beings. The sense of transience is heightened by the reference to the “light” that is “different in December,” suggesting that each moment is unique and cannot be replicated.
The poem also emphasizes the cyclical nature of time, with the chorus of birds serving as a reminder of the recurring patterns of life:
The birds are all here,
the pigeons, sparrows, and redwing blackbirds,
flocks and flocks on the wires
The repetition of “flocks” emphasizes the abundance and diversity of the birdlife, while the image of the birds perched on the wires suggests a communal existence. The use of the present tense emphasizes the continuity of the scene, despite the changing seasons. The birds' migration patterns also suggest a sense of transience, with their arrival and departure marking the passing of time.
The Spirituality of Nature
Another prominent theme in “Onondaga, Early December” is the spiritual nature of the natural world. Carruth portrays nature as a source of solace and healing, providing a sense of peace and transcendence:
The trees are black
with the memory of leaves,
and there are rich odors here
of maple leaves smoking on the ground
The use of synesthesia – the blending of sensory experiences – creates a rich impression of the landscape. The “memory” of leaves is a metaphor for the persistence of life, even in the face of death. The “rich odors” suggest a sense of abundance and fecundity, while the image of “maple leaves smoking on the ground” evokes a sense of warmth and comfort. The combination of sensory experiences creates a spiritual resonance that goes beyond the physical landscape.
Moreover, the poem suggests that nature offers a sense of purpose and meaning, a way of connecting with something larger than oneself:
We walk out with the dogs
into the field behind the house,
and all is well, the stars
above the darkened hilltops.
The reference to the “dogs” as companions suggests a sense of camaraderie and belonging, while the phrase “all is well” implies a sense of acceptance and contentment. The “stars” above the “darkened hilltops” offer a sense of perspective, suggesting that there is a larger reality beyond our immediate concerns. The use of enjambment – the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next – creates a sense of fluidity and continuity, reinforcing the idea that nature provides a seamless connection between ourselves and the world around us.
The Importance of Language
One of the most striking features of “Onondaga, Early December” is the language Carruth uses to describe the natural world. Unlike other nature poets who rely on ornate, flowery language, Carruth's style is spare and understated, using simple words to convey complex emotions:
The smoke is gray-blue
and the smell of burning leaves,
we rake them up and the burning
sends sparks and curls of flame
The use of concrete, sensory language creates a vivid impression of the landscape, while the repetition of “burning” emphasizes the transformative nature of fire. The phrase “sends sparks and curls of flame” evokes a sense of movement and energy, suggesting that nature is not a static entity but a dynamic force. The use of color (“gray-blue”) and smell (“smell of burning leaves”) reinforces the sensory richness of the poem.
At the same time, the language also suggests a sense of detachment, as if the poet is observing the landscape from a distance:
The world is at least
fifty percent terrible, and that's a conservative
estimate, though I keep this from my children.
The use of numbers and statistics creates a sense of objectivity, while the phrase “I keep this from my children” suggests a sense of responsibility and protectiveness. The use of the first-person pronoun (“I”) emphasizes the personal nature of the poem, while the reference to “my children” creates a sense of intergenerational connection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Onondaga, Early December” is a remarkable example of nature poetry, capturing the transience, spirituality, and beauty of the natural world. Through its rich imagery, spare language, and evocative themes, the poem offers a powerful reminder of the importance of nature in our lives. As we face an uncertain future, with climate change and environmental degradation threatening the very foundations of human existence, poems like “Onondaga, Early December” are more relevant than ever, reminding us of the fragile, interconnected web of life that sustains us all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Onondaga, Early December: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Emotion
Hayden Carruth's "Poetry Onondaga, Early December" is a poem that captures the essence of winter in all its beauty and harshness. The poem is a masterful work of art that uses vivid imagery and powerful emotions to convey the experience of living in a cold and snowy environment. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem is set in Onondaga, a small town in upstate New York, during the early days of December. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker describing the "cold, clear air" and the "frosty ground." The imagery is so vivid that the reader can almost feel the chill in the air and the crunch of the snow underfoot. The speaker goes on to describe the "bare trees" and the "gray sky," which create a sense of desolation and isolation.
The second stanza introduces a new element to the poem: the speaker's memories of his childhood. He remembers the "snow forts" he built as a child and the "sleds" he rode down the hills. These memories are juxtaposed with the present, where the speaker is alone and "no one is near." The contrast between the warmth and joy of childhood and the cold and loneliness of adulthood is a recurring theme in the poem.
The third stanza is where the poem really comes alive. The speaker describes the "wild geese" flying overhead, their "honking" echoing through the air. This image is both beautiful and haunting, as it reminds the speaker of the transience of life. The geese are on their way south, leaving behind the cold and snow of Onondaga. The speaker is left behind, alone in the winter landscape.
The fourth stanza is a reflection on the nature of poetry itself. The speaker asks, "What is poetry, then, in a world / of frost and snow?" This question is at the heart of the poem, as it explores the role of art in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. The speaker goes on to answer his own question, saying that poetry is "the voice of the heart / that speaks to the soul." In other words, poetry is a way of expressing the emotions that are often hidden beneath the surface.
The fifth and final stanza brings the poem to a close. The speaker reflects on the beauty of the winter landscape, despite its harshness. He says that "the world is a poem / that writes itself in snow." This image is both powerful and poignant, as it suggests that even in the midst of hardship and suffering, there is still beauty to be found.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The first and second stanzas set the scene and introduce the theme of childhood memories. The third stanza introduces the geese, which serve as a metaphor for the transience of life. The fourth stanza is a reflection on the nature of poetry, while the fifth brings the poem to a close with a reflection on the beauty of the winter landscape.
The poem is full of literary devices that add depth and meaning to the text. One of the most striking is the use of imagery. The descriptions of the winter landscape are so vivid that the reader can almost feel the cold and see the snow. The use of metaphor is also powerful, particularly in the third stanza where the geese are used to represent the fleeting nature of life.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "no one is near" is repeated twice in the second stanza, emphasizing the speaker's sense of loneliness. The phrase "the world is a poem" is also repeated in the final stanza, reinforcing the idea that even in the midst of hardship, there is still beauty to be found.
In conclusion, "Poetry Onondaga, Early December" is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion. The poem captures the essence of winter in all its beauty and harshness, while exploring themes of childhood memories, loneliness, and the transience of life. The structure and literary devices used in the poem add depth and meaning to the text, making it a powerful work of art that will resonate with readers for years to come.
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