Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "In the Forest" is a contemplative meditation on the autumn season, infused with cultural and religious symbolism that deepens its exploration of change, memory, and the passage of time. The poem uses vivid imagery and musical references to capture the essence of autumn as a time of both beauty and melancholy, drawing connections between the natural world and Jewish traditions.

The poem begins with a striking image: "The trees are lit / from within like Sabbath candles / before they are snuffed out." This comparison immediately introduces the idea of autumn as a time of ritual and reflection. The trees, glowing with the vibrant colors of autumn, are likened to Sabbath candles, which are lit to honor the Jewish day of rest and are later extinguished to mark its end. This metaphor suggests a fleeting, sacred moment, where the beauty of the trees is both celebrated and acknowledged as temporary, soon to be extinguished by the coming winter.

Pastan further deepens the connection between autumn and Jewish tradition by declaring, "Autumn is such a Jewish season, / the whole minor key of it." The "minor key" refers to a musical mode often associated with sadness or introspection, echoing the mood of the season. In Jewish liturgical music, the minor key is frequently used, especially during periods of reflection and solemnity. By describing autumn in these terms, Pastan emphasizes the introspective and somewhat mournful character of the season, suggesting that it resonates with the themes of reflection, loss, and remembrance that are central to many Jewish rituals.

The poem continues with a focus on sound, as the wind "trembles / through the branches, vibrato / as notes of cello music." The wind's movement through the trees is compared to the vibrato in cello music, a technique that adds emotion and depth to the sound. This musical metaphor enhances the sensory experience of the poem, making the reader feel the resonance and emotional weight of the season, much like a cello's deep, mournful tones.

Pastan then shifts to the visual, noting "the tarnished coppers / and browns, the piles of leaves / just waiting for burning." The autumn leaves are described in terms of their color, but also with a sense of inevitability—their fate is to be burned, just as the brightness of the season will soon give way to the cold and dark of winter. The mention of burning leaves evokes the smell of smoke, which becomes a trigger for memory: "I smell the smoke / and remember the winter." Here, the sensory detail of smell connects the present moment with the past, as the smoke serves as a reminder of winters gone by and the cycles of the seasons.

The poem also acknowledges the life that persists in autumn: "Though birds are no longer / in hiding, though children in bright / scarves are kicking the leaves." These images of life and activity contrast with the overall theme of decline and prepare the reader for the poem's concluding reflection. The speaker recognizes the vitality that remains even as the season wanes, leading to the final, poignant line: "Praise what is left."

This closing line encapsulates the poem's message: an invitation to appreciate and cherish the remnants of beauty and life, even as the world moves toward winter and dormancy. It is a call to find gratitude and reverence for the fleeting moments of light, color, and warmth that remain in a season marked by transition and loss.

"In the Forest" by Linda Pastan is a richly layered poem that weaves together themes of nature, tradition, and memory. Through its use of religious symbolism, musical metaphors, and sensory imagery, the poem captures the essence of autumn as a time of both beauty and melancholy. Pastan invites readers to reflect on the cyclical nature of life and the importance of recognizing and honoring the moments of light and warmth that persist, even as the world prepares for the cold and darkness of winter.

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