as the smoke clears

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S74rw4rd's picture

This is a very busy poem, as

This is a very busy poem, as a lot of processes are going on---the clearing of smoke in the title, the dissipation of this night, the recall of dewey welcomes and of reviving umbilical dreams; leading to the igniting of autumnal reticence from which (so the hope is implied) genial kindnesses shall spring; and I appreciate the double meaning of the word, "spring," in a stanza that also mentions autumn.  


We must always peruse the acumens of today, as it ceases, because it will return as tomorrow; and the acquired wisdom of today will be useful, even needful, tomorrow.  And autumn's reticences must give way to spring's genial kindnesses---so we will rely on the day's acumens to keep those kindnesses fresh and applicable.


I like the pattern of the poem's lineation:  the short lines followed by somewhat long lines---this gives me the impression (and perhaps I am weird) of the motion of a steam locomotive's siderods; and this is appropriate to the busy activity presented in the poem.


Sure, the message presented by the poem is profound, metaphysical profound, but reading the poem is also good fun, really good fun.


Starward

arqios's picture

It is always good when you

It is always good when you explain yourself at length. For one, a "very busy" poem can be misconstrued when the term is hardly ever used in its positive connotation! LOL. Thank you Starward for taking time and for noting the more salient features of this poem. The allusion to a steam locomotive's siderods and their motion is similar to my more compact image of piston movements in a car engine. Of course the locomotive image is more direct as the motion goes forward along the railroad tracks.

But perhaps the most significant observation you made are about the seasonal references of autumn and the double entendré of 'spring.' It is also notable that the ommisision of the word 'winter' tucks it underneath and in between the dynamic processes between the fall season and the season of reblossoming. Not that it was eradicated but not given a prominence as it denotes for many a darker, more sombre and sullen tone and feel.

In the end the main and most important thing is that there was good fun to be had in its reading above and beyond the poetic scavenger hunt that it had also thus provided. My gratitude and privilege.


here is poetry that doesn't always conform

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