Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"End of Summer" is a poem by American poet Stanley Kunitz. It was first published in his 1953 collection "Selected Poems: 1928-1958". Kunitz was a highly respected American poet who served as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress twice, and won several awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

Explanation:

"End of Summer" is a contemplative and deeply introspective poem that explores the themes of change, growth, and the passage of time. The speaker reflects on the end of summer, a time of transition when the natural world begins to shift from a season of growth and vitality to one of decline and decay.

As the speaker observes the changing landscape around him, he becomes increasingly aware of his own mortality and the inevitability of death. However, he finds solace in the idea that even as we age and approach the end of our lives, we can still find meaning and beauty in the world around us, and in the memories and connections we have formed with others.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "End of Summer" is a free verse poem, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme or meter scheme.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid, sensory images, such as the "fleeting, pearl-colored moments" of summer and the "sadness that rises in him" as the season comes to a close.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective, with moments of both melancholy and wonder.
• Metaphor: The changing of the seasons is a metaphor for the cycles of life and the passage of time.

Conclusion:

"End of Summer" is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving poem that explores some of the most profound aspects of the human experience, including mortality, change, and the cycles of life. Kunitz's use of vivid imagery and rich language creates a sense of both beauty and sadness, while his exploration of the ways in which we find meaning and connection in the face of mortality adds depth and nuance to the poem.

Poem Snippet:

"And now the old trees bend

to the very earth again,

worn by the seasons, as they

nod over the swan’s music,

that riffled and cool

divisions of September."