Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "Burning the Leaves" captures the cyclical nature of life and the poignant nostalgia that accompanies the passage of time. Through the act of burning fallen leaves, Nemerov explores themes of memory, transience, and the interplay between nature and human activity.

The poem begins with an observation of the leaves falling in large numbers: "This was the first day that the leaves / Came down in hordes, in hosts, a great wealth / Gambled away over the green lawn." The imagery of leaves descending like a vast multitude suggests both abundance and loss. The "great wealth / Gambled away" hints at the fleeting nature of prosperity and the inevitable decline that follows a season of growth.

Nemerov describes the fallen leaves as "old fry and spawn / Of the rich year converted into filth," emphasizing the transformation of what was once vibrant and alive into decay. The leaves, once part of a flourishing landscape, now lie as "filth / In the beds by the walls, the gutters under the eaves." This transformation underscores the natural cycle of life and death, growth and decay.

The poem reflects on the passage of generations, likening the falling leaves to "flyers, migrants, fugitives." This metaphor evokes the transient nature of human existence, as generations come and go like leaves in the wind. The act of raking the leaves becomes a ritual, as the speaker describes themselves and others as "croupiers with rakes," gathering the fallen leaves like "winnings" from a gamble.

The leaves are referred to as "our windfall, firstfruits, tithes and early dead / Fallen on our holdings from overhead, / And taxable to trees against our sin." This line introduces a sense of obligation and accountability to nature. The leaves are not just debris but a form of wealth, "taxable" to the trees that produced them, reflecting a moral and ecological economy.

As the leaves are gathered, the poem shifts to the act of burning them: "We light our hoarded leaves, the flames arise, / The smell of smoke takes memory by surprise." The burning of the leaves evokes a sense of purification and renewal. The smell of smoke triggers memories, transporting the speaker back to a more innocent time, "and we become as children in our sight." This regression to childhood suggests a longing for simplicity and purity, a momentary escape from the complexities of adult life.

The children, unaware of the deeper significance, "dance about the sacrifice / Unthinking, their shadows lengthened and cast away." Their innocence and joy contrast with the more reflective and somber tone of the adults. The children’s play around the fire symbolizes the continuity of life, even as the past is consumed by the flames.

"Burning the Leaves" by Howard Nemerov is a meditation on the cyclical nature of life and the interconnection between nature and human activity. The poem uses the act of burning leaves as a metaphor for the passage of time, the transformation of life into memory, and the nostalgic longing for simpler times. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Nemerov captures the essence of autumn and the deeper, universal themes it evokes.

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