Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "December 18: For M" is a reflective meditation on time, change, and the importance of embracing the present moment. Set against the backdrop of a warming world and the disorientation of the seasons, the poem urges a loved one—referred to as "M"—to pause, be still, and find solace and beauty in the fleeting moments of life.

The poem begins with a reference to the "waning of the century," which situates the poem at the close of a significant period, a time when the familiar cycles of time and nature seem to be faltering. The mention of "the weather warming / and even the seasons losing their way" suggests a world in flux, where the natural order is being disrupted, likely alluding to the effects of climate change. This disorientation serves as a metaphor for the broader theme of the passage of time and the inevitability of change.

Amidst this backdrop of uncertainty and change, the speaker offers a directive: "listen to me. It is time to sit still, to tilt your face / to the light and catch the notes of music." This call to stillness is an invitation to embrace the present, to find beauty and meaning in the small, transient moments—like "the notes of music" that "sweeten the tongue / like snowflakes as they fall and melt." The simile of music as snowflakes emphasizes the ephemeral nature of these experiences; they are delicate, brief, and yet profoundly sweet in their fleeting existence.

The speaker then addresses "M" directly, noting that "Your mouth was shaped for lullaby or hymn, and your refusal to sing bewilders / whole octaves of air." This line suggests that "M" has a natural gift or inclination for creating beauty, perhaps through singing or another form of expression, but has chosen to abstain from using this gift. The speaker is perplexed by this refusal, implying that the world—represented by "whole octaves of air"—is missing out on something essential and beautiful because of "M's" silence.

The poem continues with a gentle admonition: "Enough abstinence. Each day / that ends is gone, not a leaf is left." Here, the speaker emphasizes the finality of time—the idea that once a day is over, it cannot be reclaimed. The imagery of a leafless world reinforces the theme of loss and the passing of time, urging "M" to stop holding back and to fully engage with life before it's too late.

The poem concludes with a somber reminder of mortality: "and soon enough it will be time to sleep under the sway of all that silence." This final line brings the themes of time and change to their inevitable conclusion—death, represented as a sleep that will come "under the sway of all that silence." The silence here contrasts with the earlier mention of music and singing, underscoring the idea that while life is filled with opportunities for expression and connection, it ultimately ends in quiet and stillness.

"December 18: For M" by Linda Pastan is a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life and the importance of embracing the present. Through its rich imagery and reflective tone, the poem encourages a loved one to break free from self-imposed silence and abstinence, to savor the fleeting beauty of each moment, and to engage fully with the world before it is too late. The poem's message is both an invitation to live more fully and a meditation on the inevitable passage of time and the approach of life's end.

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