Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Randall Jarrell's poem "Leave" captures the intricate and often solitary beauty of nature, interspersed with reflections on human presence and absence. The poem uses vivid imagery and a meditative tone to explore themes of nature's resilience, the passage of time, and the haunting echoes of human activity within the natural world.

The poem begins by setting a scene that is rich with natural elements. The winding path through the forest, described as winding "through firs," immediately immerses the reader in a dense, wooded environment. The mention of weeds being ferns and aspens of significant girth emphasizes the lush and mature quality of this forest. Jarrell's choice of details, such as woodpeckers hammering at pine-cones and burros wandering with their bells, adds layers of sound and motion to the landscape, making it come alive.

However, this vivid depiction of nature is contrasted with subtle hints of its untamed and perhaps indifferent quality. The mention of deer trampling the last stalky meadow suggests a cycle of life and destruction inherent in the natural world. The scene evolves as plants give way to rock and precipice, described in a manner reminiscent of Chinese ink paintings. This comparison to art highlights the timeless and almost mythical quality of the landscape.

In this serene yet imposing environment, a solitary figure—a "fat philosopher"—is introduced. Sheltered at the root of a fir tree, this philosopher seems to embody the essence of contemplative solitude. His presence in the poem represents a human attempt to find meaning or peace within the vastness of nature. However, the philosopher's uncertain fate—"missing dead perhaps, perhaps a prisoner"—injects a sense of ambiguity and fragility. This reflects the idea that human endeavors and existence are transient and vulnerable against the backdrop of the eternal natural world.

The poem then shifts its focus to a broader, more expansive view. The imagery of "half-sunken floes" streaming south from the mountain-top and "the seven ranges" evokes a sense of vastness and movement. This cold, airy, silent scene contrasts with the warmth and vibrancy of the earlier forest setting. The transition from the specific details of the forest to the grandeur of the mountain ranges underscores the theme of nature's vastness and the smallness of human presence within it.

Below this lofty scene lie "the fields, the dim fields," suggesting a descent into a more grounded, yet obscured reality. The fighter turning towards these fields with its "thin spectral whine" introduces a subtle, almost ghostly, reminder of human conflict and presence. The juxtaposition of this spectral fighter with the serene natural elements serves as a poignant reminder of the intrusion of human activities into the natural world.

In the concluding lines, Jarrell brings the focus back to the smaller details of nature. The moss tracks leading rock to rock, the fall of water, and the dancing mote all evoke a sense of continuous, delicate movement. The mention of a nature "full of squirrels" returns the reader to the lively, bustling aspect of the natural world, completing the cycle from grand landscapes to minute details.

"Leave" is a contemplative piece that uses rich, evocative imagery to explore the complex relationship between humans and nature. Jarrell's portrayal of the forest, the solitary philosopher, the expansive mountain ranges, and the subtle human presence all contribute to a meditation on the resilience and beauty of the natural world, contrasted with the ephemeral nature of human life and activity. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own place within the vast, ever-changing tapestry of nature, and the silent, enduring presence of the world around them.

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