Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Carlos Williams's "Approach of Winter" is a vivid portrayal of nature's transition into the colder season, using stark imagery and precise language to capture the tension between change and resistance. The poem reflects Williams's characteristic attention to detail and his commitment to grounding his poetry in the tangible world, presenting a scene that is both striking and deeply resonant.

The opening line, "The half-stripped trees," immediately sets the stage for the poem's exploration of seasonal change. By describing the trees as "half-stripped," Williams emphasizes the incomplete transformation of autumn into winter. The trees, caught between states, symbolize the reluctance and inevitability of change. The personification of the trees as "struck by a wind together" conveys a sense of unity in their struggle, as though they are collectively bending under the weight of an external force.

The imagery of "leaves flutter drily / and refuse to let go" further develops the theme of resistance. The word "drily" evokes a sense of brittleness and exhaustion, suggesting the leaves' tenuous hold on the branches. Their refusal to fall reflects a defiance of the natural cycle, a momentary stand against the forces of winter. This resistance, however, is fleeting, as the subsequent image of leaves "driven like hail" illustrates their ultimate surrender. The comparison to hail emphasizes the violence and inevitability of their descent, transforming what might be a gentle release into a bitter and tumultuous scattering.

Williams's use of enjambment throughout the poem mirrors the movement of the wind and the falling leaves. The lines flow into one another, creating a sense of continuity and motion that reflects the relentless progress of nature. The irregular line lengths and pauses mimic the unpredictable rhythm of the wind, enhancing the immediacy of the scene.

The contrast between the fallen leaves and the salvias in the closing lines introduces a poignant tension. The salvias, described as "hard carmine," stand out against the barren garden, their vibrant color defying the encroaching desolation of winter. Williams's observation that they are "like no leaf that ever was" underscores their singularity and resilience. This image serves as a counterpoint to the earlier depiction of leaves driven to the ground, suggesting that even in the face of loss and decay, there are moments of beauty and defiance.

The salvias' placement at "the bare garden's edge" highlights their role as a boundary between life and barrenness, color and monotony. Their presence offers a glimmer of hope and continuity, a reminder that even as one cycle ends, another begins. The salvias become a metaphor for persistence and renewal, standing as a testament to nature's ability to endure and transform.

"Approach of Winter" exemplifies Williams's mastery of blending observation with deeper reflection. Through his precise and evocative language, he captures the duality of nature's cycles—its beauty and harshness, its resistance and inevitability. The poem invites readers to see the changing season not just as a time of loss but as a moment of transition, filled with both melancholy and promise. Williams's focus on the specific details of the scene grounds the poem in the real world while allowing it to resonate with universal themes of change and resilience.

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