Sunday, April 24, 2011

The lesson of the falling leaves

the lesson of the falling leaves
Lucille Clifton
the leaves believe
such letting go is love
such love is faith
such faith is grace
such grace is god
i agree with the leaves

This is the second poem, by Clifton, that I’ve read and I, thus far, appreciate her view of human nature.

Think to the long season past of fall. Of course you know where I’m going with this: In the fall the leaves fall from the trees. They float to the grown in hopes that there decay and departure from their old friend will result, win cold winter ends, with new life and the continuation of the trees life. This is what I think the poem is speaking of: that though it hurts to leave those we care about, it ends with new opportunities, adventures and friendships for them.

The leaves love the tree, but if they were to stay the tree would never be able to escape its dead appearance. So the leaves depart with love for the tree, loving in hopes that it is able to grow into something better, hopes that are based in faith, and the faith is that the tree will choose to continue growing (because if it doesn’t grow the leaves sacrifice was in vain. But the leaves trust, and have faith in the tree.) The faith is a virtue of grace. And the grace is only available by the grace of god.

The author poet uses “such” to show how one simple act, the leaves falling, going to college, or the passing of a loved one, is so much more then simple; it means more (ie. love, faith, grace, and god.)

Again hope you’ve enjoyed it.

1 comment:

  1. Nice. You show the transitions and connections throughout the poem and the way that Clifton builds on them.

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