Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan’s poem "The Way the Leaves Keep Falling" uses the simple act of observing autumn leaves to explore themes of order, chaos, conscience, and the passage of time. The poem delicately balances a meditation on the natural world with introspective reflections on human nature, drawing connections between the relentless fall of leaves and deeper existential questions.

The poem begins in November, a month traditionally associated with decay and the onset of winter. The speaker acknowledges it is "morning — time to get to work," yet finds themselves captivated by the "great harvest of leaves" falling outside the window. This juxtaposition between the call to duty and the pull of nature sets up the tension between responsibility and the desire to pause and reflect. The "little whip of my conscience" flicking as the speaker lingers at the window suggests an internal struggle between the impulse to adhere to the demands of daily life and the temptation to indulge in the beauty and melancholy of the season.

The neighbor, already at work with his leaf blower, symbolizes the human desire to impose order on nature's inherent disorder. The speaker observes the neighbor trying to "make order from the chaos of fading color," an effort that is both "brave and a bit foolish." This characterization hints at the futility of trying to control or contain the natural world, especially something as cyclical and inevitable as falling leaves. The metaphor of leaves falling "wave after wave" evokes a sense of inevitability, like the tides, underscoring the idea that some forces—like nature, time, and decay—are beyond human control.

The poem then takes a philosophical turn, reflecting on the biblical Garden of Eden, where "there were no seasons." The speaker imagines that "it was the tidiness of that garden / Eve hated," suggesting that Eve's rebellion might have been a reaction against the unnatural order imposed on the garden. The "wooden tags with the new names of plants and trees" represent this imposed order, which contrasts sharply with the natural, untamed world outside the speaker’s window. The idea that Eve might have disliked the "tidiness" of Eden introduces a critique of artificial order and control, suggesting that there is something more authentic and appealing about the chaotic, ever-changing natural world.

Despite this, the speaker acknowledges their own preference for order, admitting, "I am Adam’s child too and I like order." This admission reflects a universal human inclination toward organization and control, even as the speaker simultaneously appreciates the "ragged" margins of their poems. The "ragged margins" can be seen as a metaphor for the acceptance of imperfection and disorder, especially in creative expression. The fact that the speaker stands at the window "all morning watching the leaves" suggests a deep, almost meditative engagement with this natural process, embracing the chaos rather than resisting it.

"The Way the Leaves Keep Falling" is a contemplative poem that uses the simple, recurring image of falling leaves to delve into complex themes of order, chaos, human nature, and the passage of time. Pastan captures the tension between the desire for control and the acceptance of nature’s inevitable cycles, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationship with the natural world and the ways in which they navigate the balance between order and disorder in their lives. The poem ultimately suggests that there is value in both perspectives: in striving for order and in appreciating the beauty of life’s inherent unpredictability.

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