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'Approach Of Winter' by William Carlos Williams


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The half-stripped trees
struck by a wind together,
bending all,
the leaves flutter drily
and refuse to let go
or driven like hail
stream bitterly out to one side
and fall
where the salvias, hard carmine—
like no leaf that ever was—
edge the bare garden.


Submitted by Bob

Editor 1 Interpretation

Approach of Winter: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Sensory Perception

Approach of Winter is a classic poem written by William Carlos Williams in 1923. It is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the changing seasons and the passage of time. This poem is a perfect example of Williams' unique style of writing that focuses on simple, everyday objects and events to create a powerful and evocative image of the world around us.

A Detailed Analysis of the Poem

The poem, Approach of Winter, consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem and introduces the central theme of the changing seasons:

The half-stripped trees
struck by a wind together,
bending all,
the leaves flutter drily

Here, Williams uses vivid imagery to describe the effect of the wind on the trees. The phrase "half-stripped trees" suggests that the trees have already shed some of their leaves, and the wind is now stripping them of the rest. The trees are "struck by a wind together," which indicates that the wind is strong and is affecting all the trees in the area. Williams then describes the effect of the wind on the trees, "bending all," which creates a sense of movement and motion. Finally, he describes the leaves as "flutter[ing] drily," which is both an auditory and visual image that suggests the leaves are dry and brittle, ready to fall off.

The second stanza continues the theme of the changing seasons and the effects of the wind:

Yellowing the stubble
field edges where nothing remains
but a ragged row
of weeds

Here, Williams uses a similar technique of vivid imagery to describe the effect of the wind on the fields. The phrase "yellowing the stubble" suggests that the wind is blowing through the fields, causing the remaining vegetation to turn yellow and dry. The phrase "where nothing remains" suggests that the fields are barren and empty, with nothing left except a "ragged row of weeds."

The third stanza shifts the focus to the sky and the changing weather:

A charge of light brigade,
white skeletons 
before a pale blue sky
the grasses waving

Here, Williams uses a metaphor to describe the clouds as a "charge of light brigade." This is a powerful image that suggests movement and action, as if the clouds are charging across the sky. The "white skeletons" suggest that the clouds are thin and wispy, and the "pale blue sky" creates a sense of coldness and emptiness. Finally, the "grasses waving" creates a sense of movement and motion, as if the wind is blowing across the fields.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of the changing seasons and the passage of time:

It is a season of fatigue
that follows on the heels of youth
with too much effort 
to remember itself

Here, Williams uses personification to describe the season as having "fatigue." This creates a sense of weariness and tiredness, as if the season is worn out from all the activity of summer and fall. The phrase "that follows on the heels of youth" suggests that the season is a natural progression from the excitement and energy of youth. Finally, the phrase "with too much effort to remember itself" suggests that the season is struggling to remember the past, as if it is fading away into the future.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close and reinforces the central theme of the changing seasons:

The trees 
ensepulchre me
in leaves 
drifting smells of grass

Here, Williams uses the phrase "ensepulchre me" to describe the effect of the leaves on the speaker. This creates a sense of being buried or enclosed, as if the leaves are a protective cocoon. The phrase "drifting smells of grass" creates a powerful sensory image of the changing seasons, as if the speaker can smell the grass as it is blown across the fields.

Interpretation of the Poem

Approach of Winter is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the changing seasons and the passage of time. Williams uses vivid imagery and sensory perception to create a world that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is full of contrasts, such as the half-stripped trees and the yellowing fields, that create a sense of tension and unease.

One of the key themes of the poem is the passage of time and the changing seasons. Williams uses the metaphor of the wind to symbolize the passage of time, as if the wind is blowing the leaves and the fields away into the future. The poem suggests that time is relentless and unstoppable, and that we must learn to accept the changing seasons and the aging process.

Another theme of the poem is the power of sensory perception. Williams uses vivid imagery to create a world that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is full of sensory images, such as the dry leaves fluttering in the wind and the drifting smells of grass, that create a powerful emotional response in the reader.

Overall, Approach of Winter is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the changing seasons and the passage of time. It is a powerful and evocative poem that uses vivid imagery and sensory perception to create a world that is both beautiful and haunting. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to evoke powerful emotions in the reader.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Approach of Winter: A Masterpiece by William Carlos Williams

William Carlos Williams, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of writing that captures the essence of everyday life. His poem "Approach of Winter" is a masterpiece that beautifully portrays the transition from autumn to winter. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "The half-stripped trees / struck by a wind together," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "half-stripped" suggests that the trees have already lost some of their leaves, indicating that autumn is coming to an end. The phrase "struck by a wind together" creates a sense of unity among the trees, as if they are all experiencing the same thing at the same time.

As the poem progresses, Williams uses vivid imagery to describe the changing landscape. He writes, "Birds are still there," indicating that some birds have not yet migrated south for the winter. However, the phrase "now they circle / over the trees" suggests that they are preparing to leave. The image of the birds circling over the trees creates a sense of movement and anticipation, as if they are waiting for the right moment to take flight.

Williams also uses imagery to describe the sky, writing, "The wind stops, the wind begins. / The wind says stop, begin." The repetition of the phrase "the wind" creates a sense of rhythm and movement, as if the wind is a living entity. The phrase "the wind says stop, begin" suggests that the wind is in control, dictating the changing weather patterns.

The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone, as Williams reflects on the passing of time. He writes, "A year / ends with a heavy fall of snow." The use of the word "heavy" suggests that the snowfall is significant, marking the end of one season and the beginning of another. The phrase "a year ends" suggests that Williams is reflecting on the passage of time, and the inevitability of change.

Williams then uses a metaphor to describe the snowfall, writing, "the sky / white like a blank page." The image of the sky as a blank page suggests that the snowfall is a new beginning, a fresh start. The use of the color white also creates a sense of purity and innocence, as if the snowfall is cleansing the landscape.

The poem ends with the line, "We shall rest and, / hearing the snow, / we shall know / by the silence / the heavy / footfall of snow." The repetition of the word "shall" creates a sense of inevitability, as if the snowfall is a natural part of the cycle of life. The phrase "hearing the snow" suggests that the snowfall is not just a visual experience, but an auditory one as well. The final image of the "heavy footfall of snow" creates a sense of weight and significance, as if the snowfall is a momentous event.

Overall, "Approach of Winter" is a beautifully crafted poem that captures the essence of the changing seasons. Williams uses vivid imagery and literary devices to create a sense of movement and anticipation, while also reflecting on the passage of time. The poem is a testament to Williams' skill as a poet, and a reminder of the beauty that can be found in everyday life.

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