Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Winter Solstice" by William Everson captures the essence of the shortest day of the year, a time marked by minimal daylight and the onset of winter's depth. Through vivid imagery and a reflective tone, Everson explores themes of transition, the natural cycle of seasons, and the human emotional response to the changing environment.

The poem opens with the image of a sun that "crawls wanly," immediately setting the scene for a day lacking in the robust vitality associated with sunlight. This sun takes "the short route," a nod to the briefness of the day, and its light "filters the fog," suggesting a struggle to penetrate the dense, wintery atmosphere. The mention of a killdeer lost in the fog, yet whose notes are "floating," introduces a sense of persistence and resilience amidst the gloom.

Everson declares, "Now is the solstice, day of the weak light, the soon-setting," grounding the poem in a specific moment of astronomical and seasonal significance. This is the point of transition, where the light is at its feeblest, and the natural world responds by slowing down—"feeble the sap, slow is the blood." The imagery evokes a sense of dormancy and hibernation, reflecting the natural response to the scarcity of light and warmth.

The poet contrasts the solstice with memories of summer, invoking "August-lovers" who once thrived in sunlight, laughter, and warmth. This reminiscence highlights the stark difference between the seasons and underscores the adaptability required to navigate the changes. Those who once "sung in the sun" now find themselves "thin-blooded, shivering" as they face the realities of winter—a season that does not belong to them in the same way summer did.

As night approaches, it comes "running" from the east, a powerful force that quickly overtakes the sky, darkening everything in its path. The night is described as "Ridge-haunting," suggesting both its pervasive presence and its mysterious, almost supernatural quality. The imagery of night overtaking the "high withdrawn and hidden peaks" evokes a sense of inevitable envelopment, as darkness blankets even the most remote and elevated places.

The closing lines, "Now are the days of the setting sun; / Now is the running night," emphasize the prevailing darkness and the swift advance of night during this time of year. The repetition of "now" serves to anchor the poem in the present moment, highlighting the immediate experience of the solstice and its impact.

"Winter Solstice" is a contemplative piece that reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the environment, the interplay between light and darkness, and the human capacity to find beauty and meaning even in the bleakest of seasons. Through its exploration of the solstice, the poem invites readers to embrace the rhythm of the natural world and to find solace in the continuity and renewal that each cycle promises.

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