Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Elizabeth Jennings was an English poet known for her introspective and reflective style. "Song at the Beginning of Autumn" is a poignant poem that captures the bittersweet beauty of the changing season.

Context:

"Song at the Beginning of Autumn" was published in 1953, a time when Britain was still recovering from the aftermath of World War II. The poem reflects the changing mood of the nation as it slowly emerged from the shadow of the war and began to look towards a brighter future.

Form:

"Song at the Beginning of Autumn" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas. Each stanza follows an ABAB rhyme scheme and is written in iambic pentameter, giving the poem a musical and flowing rhythm. The use of rhyme and meter creates a sense of unity and balance within the poem.

Content:

"Song at the Beginning of Autumn" is a poem that captures the beauty and melancholy of the changing season. The speaker reflects on the autumnal landscape and the way in which it evokes memories of the past. The poem explores themes of mortality and the inevitability of change, highlighting the cyclical nature of life and the importance of cherishing the present moment.

Poetic Elements:

Jennings employs a variety of poetic techniques in "Song at the Beginning of Autumn," including vivid imagery and personification. The use of vivid imagery helps to create a vivid and evocative picture of the autumnal landscape, while the personification of the season gives it a human quality that makes it feel more relatable.

Summary:

"Song at the Beginning of Autumn" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of the changing season. The use of vivid imagery and personification creates a vivid and evocative picture of the autumnal landscape, while the use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical and flowing rhythm. The poem's exploration of themes of mortality and the inevitability of change make it a relevant and engaging work that continues to resonate with readers today.

Poem Snippet:

Now watch this autumn that arrives

In smells. All looks like summer still;

Colours are quite unchanged, the air

On green and white serenely thrives.

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