Poem Analysis - How Yesterday Looked

Initial Impressions and Tone

Carl Sandburg's "How Yesterday Looked" presents a vivid and dynamic scene of nature's power and the human response to it. The poem's tone shifts from the dramatic and intense to the reflective and contemplative. It begins with a sense of urgency and drama, capturing the raw energy of a stormy sea and wind, and then transitions to a more introspective mood as the wind subsides and the moon rises. The poem's free verse form supports its fluid and naturalistic themes, allowing the language to flow like the elements it describes.

Themes of Nature's Power and Human Response

The primary theme of the poem is the overwhelming power of nature. Sandburg uses vivid imagery to depict the sea and wind as forces that command attention and respect. The "high horses of the sea" breaking their "white riders" on the walls suggests a tumultuous and unpredictable natural world. The wind is personified as a force that "lasted" and "poured cups of foam," emphasizing its relentless and powerful nature. This theme is contrasted with the human response, which ranges from passive observation to reflective contemplation. The "old men in the shanties" and the "young men" speaking of girls highlight the human experience of enduring and reflecting on nature's displays.

Imagery and Symbolism

The poem is rich with imagery that evokes the senses and creates a vivid mental picture. The "white riders" of the sea, the "cups of foam" poured by the wind, and the "singing slow" of the sea all contribute to a sensory experience that immerses the reader in the scene. The wind is a recurring symbol, representing both the destructive and creative forces of nature. It is described as "scooping, mixing," suggesting its role in shaping the landscape and the human experience. The moon, which comes when the wind goes down, symbolizes a sense of calm and reflection after the storm. The question posed at the end of the poem, "Ask how the sunset looked between the wind going down and the moon coming up," invites the reader to contemplate the beauty and complexity of nature's transitions.

Human Connection to Nature

The poem also explores the theme of human connection to nature. The "old men" and "young men" represent different stages of life and different ways of experiencing nature. The old men, with their pipes, suggest a more contemplative and experienced perspective, while the young men, speaking of girls, represent a more youthful and perhaps more romanticized view. This contrast highlights the universal human experience of being both affected by and connected to the natural world. The final lines, "I give you fire here, I give you water, I give you the wind that blew them across and across, the scooping, mixing wind," emphasize the elemental and foundational nature of these connections. The wind, in particular, is a unifying force that connects all elements and experiences, suggesting a deeper, more profound connection between humans and the natural world.

Conclusion

In "How Yesterday Looked," Carl Sandburg captures the dynamic and powerful nature of the natural world and the human response to it. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, the poem explores themes of nature's power, human connection to nature, and the reflective contemplation that follows intense natural experiences. The wind serves as a unifying symbol, representing both the destructive and creative forces of nature and the deep connections between humans and the natural world. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of nature and the ways in which it shapes and influences their lives.