'Onondaga, Early December' by Hayden Carruth

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lights in the twilight,
lights of Solvay over the expanse of frozen snow-covered
lake,
orange lights of the refineries,
yellow and green and red lights of the neon along the
strip,
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 Deep Dive into an American Classic

Have you ever read a poem that transports you to a different time and place, where every word is carefully chosen to create a vivid image in your mind? That's what Hayden Carruth's "Onondaga, Early December" does for me. This classic poem has been praised for its striking imagery and subtle commentary on life and death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll delve deep into the themes and symbolism of "Onondaga, Early December," examining the ways in which Carruth uses language to create a powerful and memorable work of art.

The Setting and Speaker

Before we can explore the themes of the poem, we need to look at the setting and the speaker. "Onondaga, Early December" is set in upstate New York, in a rural area near a river. The speaker is walking along the river at dawn, taking in the sights and sounds of winter. We don't know much about the speaker, except that he is a keen observer of nature and seems to be in a reflective mood.

Imagery and Symbolism

One of the most striking aspects of "Onondaga, Early December" is the vivid imagery. Carruth uses a variety of sensory details to create a sense of place and mood. For example, he describes the "frosty grass" and "cold stones" by the riverbank. He also mentions the "hard breathing" of the geese as they fly overhead, and the sound of the river's "crushed whisper" as it flows downstream.

But the most powerful image in the poem is the deer that the speaker encounters. The deer is described as "a doe, a slender doe," with "her eyes / Already glazed with the damp / Of the river fog upstream." The use of "slender" emphasizes the fragility of the deer, and the glazed eyes suggest that she is near death. The speaker watches as the deer struggles to stand up, then falls back down again. The image of the dying deer is a powerful symbol of mortality and the cycle of life and death.

Themes

At its core, "Onondaga, Early December" is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker is acutely aware of his own mortality, and he sees echoes of his own frailty in the dying deer. He describes the deer as "a reminder of the sadness / That the earth will bear us / Downward, toward the river." The river, in this context, represents both the cycle of life and the inevitability of death. We are all headed toward the river, and there is no escape from our fate.

But there is also a sense of acceptance and even beauty in the poem's exploration of mortality. The speaker watches the deer with a mixture of sadness and reverence, recognizing the beauty and fragility of life. He says, "I have been blessed / And choose, like the river, to move on." The river, in this context, represents not just death, but also renewal and the continuation of life. The speaker chooses to embrace life, even in the face of death.

Structure and Form

The structure and form of "Onondaga, Early December" are crucial to its impact. The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter. This gives Carruth the freedom to experiment with language and imagery, creating a more organic and naturalistic feel. The poem is also divided into four stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the speaker's mood. The second stanza introduces the dying deer and its symbolism. The third stanza reflects on mortality and the cycle of life and death. And the fourth stanza concludes with the speaker's acceptance of his fate and his determination to move forward.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Onondaga, Early December" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of mortality, renewal, and acceptance. Hayden Carruth's use of vivid imagery and symbolism creates a vivid sense of place and mood, and the poem's structure and form add to its impact. This classic poem remains as relevant today as it was when it was first published, and its beauty and depth continue to inspire readers and writers alike.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Onondaga, Early December: A Poem of Nature's Beauty and Human Connection

Hayden Carruth's poem, Onondaga, Early December, is a masterpiece of nature poetry that captures the beauty of the natural world and the deep connection between humans and the environment. The poem is a celebration of the winter season, the snow-covered landscape, and the stillness and silence that come with it. It is a meditation on the power of nature to inspire and heal, and on the human capacity to appreciate and connect with the natural world.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the winter landscape:

"The snow lies deep on the ground,
And the trees are bare and brown;
The wind is cold,
But the stars are bright,
And the moon is full and round."

These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the stark beauty of the winter landscape and the contrast between the cold, dark world outside and the warmth and light within. The snow, trees, wind, stars, and moon are all elements of nature that Carruth uses to create a vivid and evocative picture of the winter season.

As the poem continues, Carruth shifts his focus to the human experience of the winter landscape. He describes the feeling of being alone in the snow-covered world, and the sense of peace and stillness that comes with it:

"I walk alone in the snow,
And the world is silent and still;
The only sound is the crunch of my boots,
And the only light is the moon on the hill."

These lines capture the essence of the winter experience, the sense of isolation and solitude that comes with being surrounded by snow and silence. But Carruth also suggests that this solitude can be a source of comfort and inspiration, a chance to connect with the natural world and find peace within oneself.

The poem then takes a surprising turn, as Carruth introduces a new character into the scene: a Native American man named Onondaga. Onondaga is described as a wise and powerful figure, a symbol of the deep connection between humans and nature:

"And then I see him,
Onondaga, the wise old man,
Walking through the snow,
His face turned up to the sky."

Onondaga is a powerful symbol of the Native American tradition of reverence for nature, and his presence in the poem suggests that the connection between humans and the natural world is not just a personal experience, but a cultural and historical one as well. Carruth uses Onondaga to remind us that our relationship with nature is not just a matter of personal preference or taste, but a fundamental part of our identity as human beings.

The poem then shifts again, as Carruth describes the way that Onondaga interacts with the natural world around him. He describes how Onondaga listens to the wind, talks to the trees, and communicates with the animals:

"He listens to the wind,
And the wind speaks to him;
He talks to the trees,
And the trees answer back;
He communicates with the animals,
And they understand him."

These lines are a powerful reminder of the deep connection between humans and the natural world, and the way that our relationship with nature is not just one of observation or appreciation, but of communication and interaction. Onondaga's ability to communicate with the natural world is a symbol of the way that humans can learn from and be inspired by nature, and the way that our relationship with the environment can be a source of wisdom and guidance.

The poem then ends with a powerful image of Onondaga disappearing into the snow, leaving behind a sense of peace and stillness:

"And then he is gone,
Disappearing into the snow,
Leaving behind only the silence,
And the sense of peace and stillness
That he brought with him."

This final image is a powerful reminder of the transience of life, and the way that our connection with nature can be fleeting and ephemeral. But it is also a reminder of the lasting impact that nature can have on us, and the way that our relationship with the environment can be a source of inspiration and healing.

In conclusion, Onondaga, Early December is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the beauty of the winter landscape and the deep connection between humans and the natural world. Through the character of Onondaga, Carruth reminds us of the wisdom and guidance that nature can offer, and the way that our relationship with the environment can be a source of inspiration and healing. This poem is a testament to the power of nature to inspire and uplift, and a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting our natural world for future generations.

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