September

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    My life's long radiant Summer halts at last,     And lo! beside my path way I behold     Pursuing Autumn glide:    nor frost nor cold     Has heralded her presence; but a vast     Sweet calm that comes not till the year has passed          Its fevered solstice, and a tinge of gold          Subdues the vivid colouring of bold     And passion-hued emotions.    I will cast     My August days behind me with my May,          Nor strive to drag them into Autumn's place,         Nor swear I hope when I do but remember.     Now violet and rose have had their day,          I'll pluck the soberer asters with good grace         And call September nothing but September.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem is a contemplative reflection on the passage of time, using the transitory nature of seasons as a metaphor for the stages of life. The initial tone is one of acceptance, subtly tinged with melancholy, as the speaker acknowledges the inevitable transition from the 'radiant Summer' of life into the 'Pursuing Autumn', a period characterized not by the harsh frost or cold one might expect, but by a 'vast Sweet calm'.

The structure of the poem, with its carefully controlled rhyme scheme and rhythm, underscores the theme of order and inevitability in nature and life. The poet adeptly employs color imagery, contrasting the 'vivid colouring of bold' summer with the 'tinge of gold' of autumn, and the 'violet and rose' of past months with the 'soberer asters' of the present. This shift in color palette echoes the emotional transition from the vibrancy of youth to the more subdued maturity of later life. The concluding lines suggest a mature resignation and acceptance of the present, a willingness to 'pluck the soberer asters with good grace'. The poet's refusal to 'strive to drag' past seasons into the present or to 'swear I hope when I do but remember' is a poignant exploration of the human tendency to cling to the past or project into the future, rather than fully inhabiting the present moment. Overall, the poem is a profound meditation on the beauty and poignancy of aging and the importance of embracing each stage of life as it comes.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.