Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "The Coming On of Night" is a meditation on the gradual fading of ambition, energy, and the passage of time as one approaches the later stages of life. The poem is suffused with a quiet acceptance of the inevitable dimming of life's flames, using the metaphor of the coming night to explore the theme of mortality and the peaceful surrender that accompanies it.

The poem opens with a vivid image of ambition as a "faulty pilot light" that "sputters and goes out." This metaphor suggests that the drive and motivation that once fueled the speaker—or perhaps humanity more broadly—has begun to wane. The pilot light, which should be a constant source of flame, is now unreliable, flickering before extinguishing entirely. This image is a powerful representation of the way in which the fervor of youth, the hunger for achievement and success, gradually diminishes with age and experience. The "abstract spark of hunger" that once accompanied ambition also fades, indicating that even the most deeply ingrained desires eventually lose their intensity.

The poem then reflects on those individuals who were once characterized by "fiery eccentricities," people whose unique passions and energies seemed "inextinguishable." Yet, even these vibrant figures have "faded into darkness or been snuffed out." This acknowledgment of the inevitable decline of even the most passionate and dynamic individuals underscores the poem's exploration of mortality. No matter how bright the flame of one's personality or ambition burns, it will eventually be extinguished by time. The use of "snuffed out" reinforces the idea that this process can be sudden and final, like a candle being abruptly extinguished.

As the poem transitions, there is a shift from the imagery of fading flames to the peacefulness of nightfall: "we are left with the peace of evensong, with night coming on in the midst of what yesterday was simply afternoon." The evensong, a traditional evening prayer or hymn, represents a moment of tranquility and reflection as the day draws to a close. The "peace of evensong" suggests that there is a calm acceptance in this transition from day to night, from life’s vibrant moments to its quieter, more subdued phases. The idea that "night [is] coming on in the midst of what yesterday was simply afternoon" evokes the suddenness with which life can change, how quickly time can pass without us fully realizing it. What was once the brightness of day is now giving way to the encroaching darkness of night, symbolizing the passage from life to death.

The poem's final lines deepen this sense of inevitable transition: "All the clocks are changed now. / It is almost time to feel our way out of the world." The mention of clocks being changed suggests a shift in perception of time, as if the speaker is moving into a different phase of existence where time is no longer measured in the same way. This could allude to the concept of daylight saving time or the changing seasons, but on a deeper level, it represents the altered perception of time as one nears the end of life. The phrase "feel our way out of the world" is particularly evocative, as it conveys a sense of groping in the dark, moving slowly and carefully towards an unknown destination. This imagery encapsulates the uncertainty and the gradual process of leaving the familiar world behind, entering into the unknown of death or the afterlife.

"The Coming On of Night" is a contemplative and introspective poem that examines the themes of aging, the decline of ambition, and the peaceful acceptance of mortality. Through its rich imagery and reflective tone, Pastan captures the quiet, almost serene transition from the vibrant energy of life to the calm, enveloping darkness of night. The poem invites readers to consider their own relationship with time and ambition, and to find solace in the inevitability of life's natural rhythms, where night ultimately follows day.

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