Poetry Explication The poems Ode to autumn, In a remote Korean village, Springs prelude, The falling of the leaves

and Written in March, all share the common theme that the emotions associated with the change of season are similar to those emotions experienced by humans when confronted with change. Through the use of personification, the poets are able to convey the notion that the emotions of humans are mirrored in the natural world. The poets use imagery and personification to advance the theme of change by placing the reader in a transitionary period between seasons. By picturing the evolution of nature and sensing the emotions that accompany change the audience is able to better understand the theme of the dynamic human existence. Through the use of nature imagery- advanced by the use of personification- the underlying theme of change is highlighted. Each of the 5 poems use the poetic device of imagery, such that the audience can see, feel touch or smell the essence of the poem. The audience is not only able to envision the various aspects of nature but also to feel the transition from one season to the next. As this selection of poems deals with the idea of change, the use of imagery allows the reader to feel the emotions that result from the transition of the seasons. For example, in A remote Korean Village, one can imagine the cycle of life and death of the Ginkgo tree as the seasons transition. From its majesty in summer to its nakedness in winter, the poet paints a very clear picture of the Ginkgo trees life. The device of imagery is found in an Ode to Autumn as well, as the reader can envision the setting of the sun on a dense forest on a peaceful autumn afternoon. The audience can almost feel the slight chill of a late summer evening and sense the peaceful, gradual transition of season. Thirdly, while reading The Falling of the Leaves, the reader is filled with the gloomy image of a bare tree at the onset of winter, once it has lost all its leaves. The reader can sense the bitter chill of winter and feel the disheartening transition from happiness to despair. In the poem Written in March, the reader can envision a wide open field dotted with grazing cattle on a peaceful March afternoon. The audience is able to feel the serene sense of peace associated with the season of spring. Finally in Springs Prelude, one can visualize a line of baby ducks innocently waddling towards a small lake. As the season transition

from winter to spring, the audience can feel the sense of new life and vitality. Judging by these poems, the transition into spring usually evokes a positive, uplifting emotion within the reader. On the other hand the approach of winter usually creates a sense of depression and gloom within the audience. The use of imagery is a powerful tool that enables the audience to envision and relate the idea of change to a specific emotion. In all 5 poems, the poets use the poetic device of personification to convey the idea that the central theme of change in nature is mirrored by humans. For example, in A Remote Korean Village, the majestic Ginkgo tree is give the ability to dance in the wind Another example of this poetic device can be found in Ode to Autumn when the poet writes, As the light wind lives or dies. The poet gives wind-an inanimate object- human like qualities of life or death. Keyes continues utilizing this device as he describes the sounds of the various animals and bugs. The small gnats moanHedge crickets sing Red breast whistles. Thirdly, in the poem The falling of the leaves, the season of autumn is described as the Season of passion forget us. This phrase suggests that autumn is like a passionate lover who slowly fades away as winter approaches. William Woodsworth uses phrases like The green field sleeps in the sun, and The snow hath retreated to convey the idea that nature and humanity share common traits. Finally, in Springs Prelude, the spring breeze is give human qualities as it gently rubs and rolls over the fresh grass. As the poets grant human qualities to various aspects of nature, one can assume that the two are closely related. Just as the natural world experiences change, so to do humans. It is through the combination of imagery and personification that the audience is able to uncover the underlying theme of the poems.

The idea of change is the central theme behind these 5 poems with each work taking place in a transitionairy period between two seasons. Although the poems deal with change of seasons, the personification of nature indicates that the idea of change is a human experience as well. In life, humans are faced with an ever varying set of circumstance which inevitably brings about change. Although change is an unavoidable aspect of existence, it can create various emotions within humans. New situations can be

fun and provide a sense of optimism like the onset of spring in Springs Prelude. On the other hand, change can also leave one feeling depressed and gloomy like the approach of winter in The Falling of the Leaves. Despite the feelings towards change, it is an inevitable aspect of life. Just as the Ginkgo must accept the sad reality of winter, so too must humans accept to idea that life is dynamic.