Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Leaving the Island" poignantly captures the melancholy and inevitability of the end of summer, a time when the carefree joys of the season give way to the sobering realities of autumn and winter. Structured as a villanelle, a poetic form known for its repetition and cyclical nature, the poem echoes the theme of returning to routine and the passage of time. Through its repeated lines and vivid imagery, the poem explores the tension between the simplicity of ritual and the profound emotions that lie beneath.

The poem begins with the mundane yet symbolic actions of closing up a summer home: "We roll up rugs and strip the beds by rote, / summer expires as it has done before." The repetition of these tasks "by rote" suggests a ritualistic quality, a yearly routine that marks the end of a season. The inevitability of summer's end is emphasized by the phrase "as it has done before," underscoring the cyclical nature of time and the repetition of life’s rhythms. Despite the regularity of these actions, there is a sense of resignation and loss, as the speaker prepares to leave behind the warmth and freedom associated with summer.

The ferry, introduced in the third line, serves as a powerful symbol throughout the poem: "The ferry is no simple pleasure boat." This line, which recurs in the poem, elevates the ferry from a mere means of transportation to a vessel that carries more than just physical cargo. The ferry represents the transition from one season to another, from one state of being to another. It is not simply a "pleasure boat" because it carries with it the weight of change, loss, and the inevitable passage of time. The juxtaposition of the ferry's purpose with the speaker's emotional journey adds depth to the image, suggesting that the crossing is as much about internal transition as it is about physical movement.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the island itself, describing it as "This bit of land whose lines the glaciers wrote." The island, shaped by the slow, powerful forces of nature, becomes "the muse of memory once more." This phrase suggests that the island is not just a place but a repository of memories, a symbol of the past that will be recalled in the colder, less forgiving months ahead. The reference to glaciers evokes the passage of geological time, reinforcing the theme of inevitable change and the enduring impact of the past on the present.

The speaker acknowledges the changing season with a sense of reluctance: "I'll trade my swimsuit for a woolen coat; / the torch of autumn has but small allure." The "torch of autumn," often associated with the beauty of fall foliage, is here diminished, holding "small allure" compared to the vibrancy and freedom of summer. This transition from light, airy clothing to heavier, warmer attire symbolizes the shift from the ease of summer to the burdens of the colder months. The speaker's lack of enthusiasm for autumn reflects a deeper discomfort with the impending winter, both literal and metaphorical.

The poem also contemplates the emptiness left behind: "The absences these empty shells denote / suggest the losses winter has in store." The "empty shells" evoke images of both literal seashells, left behind on the shore, and the vacated homes and spaces that once buzzed with summer activity. These absences foreshadow the deeper, more significant losses that winter brings—whether they are losses of warmth, light, or even connections and relationships.

In the final stanza, the poem returns to the sounds of departure: "The songs of summer dwindle to one note: / the fog horn's blast (which drowns this closing door)." The "songs of summer" are reduced to the singular, mournful sound of the fog horn, a stark reminder that the vibrant days of summer are over. The fog horn, often associated with navigation in foggy or uncertain conditions, also symbolizes the uncertain and often difficult transition from one phase of life to another. The image of the "closing door" reinforces the sense of finality and the end of a chapter.

The poem concludes with a repetition of the earlier lines, driving home the cyclical nature of the experience: "We rolled up rugs and stripped the beds by rote. / The ferry is no simple pleasure boat." This ending, with its return to the actions of departure, emphasizes the ritualistic aspect of the transition and the deeper emotional resonance beneath the surface. The ferry, once again, is not merely a vehicle but a symbol of the passage from one state to another, carrying with it the weight of memory, loss, and the inevitability of change.

"Leaving the Island" is a meditation on the passage of time, the rituals that mark our transitions, and the emotions that accompany the end of a season. Through its use of the villanelle form, Pastan creates a sense of inevitability and repetition that mirrors the cycles of nature and life. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of change, the rituals that help us navigate these transitions, and the emotions that surface as we move from one phase of life to another.

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