Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Wole Soyinka's poem "Season" is a meditation on the cycles of life, decay, and renewal, where nature serves as a powerful metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitable changes that come with it. The poem's imagery is rich with agricultural and natural elements, which Soyinka uses to explore themes of maturity, transition, and the acceptance of life’s natural rhythms.

The poem begins with the line "Rust is ripeness," immediately connecting the idea of rust—a sign of decay—with maturity and readiness. Rust, often seen as a symbol of deterioration, is reinterpreted here as a marker of ripeness, suggesting that decay is not simply an end but a part of a natural process that leads to fruition. The phrase "And the wilted corn-plume" continues this theme, linking the withering of the corn's plume to the completion of its life cycle, a sign that the corn is ready to be harvested.

Soyinka then moves to describe "Pollen" as "mating-time," indicating a period of fertilization and reproduction. This is when "swallows / Weave a dance / Of feathered arrows," a vivid image of birds darting through the air, symbolizing the vitality and energy of life at its peak. The "Thread corn-stalks in winged / Streaks of light" depicts the swallows as they move swiftly among the corn, their movement likened to streaks of light, emphasizing the vibrancy of the season.

The speaker reflects on a time when "we loved to hear / Spliced phrases of the wind," finding beauty and meaning in the natural sounds of the environment. The "rasps in the field" created by the wind moving through the corn are compared to "bamboo slivers," sharp and piercing, yet part of the natural music of the landscape. This evokes a sense of connection to the earth, an appreciation of the intricate details that make up the rhythms of nature.

The poem then shifts focus to the present, where the speaker and others are now "garnerers," those who gather the harvest. This role marks a transition from the earlier vibrancy of life to the quieter, more contemplative phase of awaiting the final stages of the cycle. "Awaiting rust on tassels" suggests a readiness for the final transformation, as rust signals that the corn is fully mature and ready to be harvested. The "long shadows from the dusk" evoke the end of the day, paralleling the end of the season and perhaps the later stages of life.

The image of "Dry thatch in woodsmoke" suggests the preparation for the cold months ahead, a time when the harvested crops will provide sustenance. The "laden stalks" that "ride the germ's decay" point to the duality of life and death; as the crops mature and are harvested, they also begin to decay, feeding back into the earth and continuing the cycle. The anticipation of "the promise of the rust" underscores this acceptance of decay as a natural and necessary part of life’s progression.

"Season" is a contemplative reflection on the cycles of nature and life. Soyinka uses the imagery of corn, rust, and swallows to explore how growth, decay, and renewal are intertwined. The poem acknowledges that ripeness and decay are not opposing forces but parts of the same process, where the end of one phase naturally leads to the beginning of another. In embracing the rust and the wilted corn, Soyinka suggests a mature understanding of life’s cycles, where each season has its own beauty and purpose, and where endings are as vital as beginnings.

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