Original Poem：
So it is here, then, after so long, and after all—
as the light turns in the leaves in the old golden
way of fall,
as the small beasts dig to the place
at the roots where survival waits, cowardly crouching
in the dark,
as the branches begin to stretch into winter,
freed of their cheerful burden of green, then
it comes home, the flea-ridden bitch of desolation,
a thin dog with its ribs exposed like a lesson
in mathematics, in subtraction; it comes home, to find its bowl
empty—then the numberless
things for which to be grateful dissolve
like the steam from a fire just doused with water
on a day of overcast grays, lined
by a cold slanting rain—
it is October, that season when Death
goes public, costumed, when the talking heads
on the TV screen float up smiling at the terrible
news, their skin alight with the same strange glow
fish give off when they have been dead a week or more,
as the gas company adds odor for warning
that the lines may be leaking, the sweet smell of disaster
hanging, invisible, in the air, a moment
before you strike the match—
it is then, brother, that I think of you, of your Caravaggio,
of the head of Goliath swung by its hair,
wearing the artist’s own weary expression,
exhausted of everything but its desire
for that beautiful David he used to be; and I think
of all the boys walking the streets
each carrying the severed head of the man
he will become—and the way I bear it is
to think of you, grinning, riding high in the cart leaving
the scene, a pair of huge horses hauling the wagon,
a fine mist rising from their damp shoulders,
unconcerned with what hangs, nailed
to the museum walls—luckily
the fall of Icarus has nothing to do with them,
nor the ruined Goliath who fell like a forest,
nor the wretched Salomes with their blood-splattered
platters, nor the huge stone griffins sobbing
at the gates to Valhalla as the litters are carried past ...
the dark eyes of the horses are opaque with wisdom,
their hoofs strike the pavements with such a musical decision,
the derisive curl of their lips is so like the mysterious
smile on the angel at Chartres, on Kuan Yin, on the dolphin,
as they pull the cart safe through the blizzards
of Main Street, the snow slowly swallowing the signs
though the crossing light beckons—
a soft glowing green like some spectral Eden
in the blank white swirl of the storm.
The stallion neighs once, sends a warm cloud
of breath into the snow-filled air,
and the mare isn’t scared yet—at least
she’s still pulling. There’s a barn out there
somewhere, as they plow through the light’s
yellow aura of caution, its warm glow
foretelling what hides in the storm:
a stall full of gold, where the soul—
that magician—can wallow
and winter in straw.
Poem Analysis and Interpretation
This evocative poem captures the transition of seasons, particularly the arrival of October and the onset of autumn’s decline into winter. The imagery is rich and somber, portraying nature’s cycle as a metaphor for loss, desolation, and the inevitability of death. The poem opens with the golden light of fall, the small animals burrowing for survival, and the trees shedding their green leaves, symbolizing a natural withdrawal into dormancy.
The poem then introduces a harsh figure—the "flea-ridden bitch of desolation," a thin dog symbolizing hunger, emptiness, and the harsh realities of life. This dog’s exposed ribs serve as a visual metaphor for subtraction and loss, reinforcing the poem’s theme of decline. The poet connects this bleak natural scene to human experience, describing October as the time when death "goes public", a season when media and society confront mortality openly.
The poem’s reference to Caravaggio’s painting of Goliath’s severed head deepens the theme of downfall and transformation. The artist’s weary expression on Goliath’s head symbolizes exhaustion and the loss of former glory, while the boys carrying the severed heads represent the inevitable journey from youth to the burdens of adulthood. The horses pulling the cart, calm and wise, contrast with the chaos and decay around them, symbolizing steadfastness and hope amid turmoil.
The closing lines evoke a sense of cautious optimism—a barn full of gold where the soul can find refuge and rest during winter’s harshness. This suggests a spiritual or emotional sanctuary, a place for renewal after hardship.
Background and Author Introduction
This poem likely belongs to a contemporary poet with a deep appreciation for classical art and natural imagery, as evidenced by the reference to Caravaggio and mythological figures like Icarus and Valhalla. The author uses vivid, sometimes stark imagery to explore themes of mortality, transformation, and resilience.
The poem’s tone and style suggest a modern reflection on age-old themes, blending personal memory with universal experiences. The use of classical references alongside everyday scenes (TV news, gas leaks) bridges the gap between the timeless and the immediate, inviting readers to contemplate their own place in the cycle of life and death.
Reflections and Insights
Reading this poem encourages us to confront the inevitable changes and losses that come with time and season. It reminds us that while desolation and death are part of life, there is also wisdom, endurance, and hope to be found. The imagery of the horses and the barn full of gold offers a metaphor for inner strength and the possibility of renewal, even in the darkest times.
Educational Value for Children and Students
This poem offers rich material for students to explore:
- Themes: Understanding the cycle of life and death, change, and resilience.
- Imagery: Learning how poets use vivid images to convey emotions and ideas.
- Symbolism: Interpreting symbols like the dog, the severed head, and the horses.
- Classical References: Introducing Caravaggio, Icarus, and Valhalla to connect literature with art and mythology.
- Emotional Intelligence: Reflecting on feelings of loss, hope, and endurance.
In life and learning, this poem can inspire students to:
- Appreciate nature’s cycles and the inevitability of change.
- Develop empathy by relating to themes of hardship and survival.
- Use metaphor and imagery in their own writing.
- Understand historical and cultural references in literature.
Practical Applications and Learning Challenges
Students may find it challenging to grasp the complex symbolism and allusions in the poem. Teachers can guide them by:
- Breaking down the poem stanza by stanza.
- Discussing the historical and artistic references.
- Encouraging personal connections to themes of change and resilience.
- Using the poem as a starting point for creative writing or art projects.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- What natural changes does the poem describe at the beginning?
- How is the "flea-ridden bitch of desolation" symbolic in the poem?
- What does the reference to Caravaggio’s painting of Goliath represent?
- How do the horses contrast with the other images in the poem?
- What is the significance of the barn full of gold at the end of the poem?
Answers
- The poem describes the changing light in the leaves during fall, animals digging to survive, and trees losing their green leaves as winter approaches.
- The flea-ridden dog symbolizes hunger, emptiness, and the harsh realities of life and loss.
- The severed head of Goliath represents downfall, exhaustion, and the loss of former strength or innocence.
- The horses symbolize wisdom, calmness, and steadfastness amid the chaos and decay surrounding them.
- The barn full of gold symbolizes a place of refuge, renewal, and spiritual rest during difficult times.
This poem offers a profound exploration of nature, mortality, and hope, making it a valuable resource for students to deepen their literary understanding and emotional awareness.
