Poem Analysis - Snow

Initial Impression and Tone

Carl Sandburg's poem "Snow" presents a surreal and somewhat melancholic journey through a landscape transformed by snow. The tone shifts from whimsical and nostalgic to desperate and resigned, reflecting a deep longing and a sense of loss. The poem's free verse form allows for a fluid and dreamlike narrative, enhancing the surreal imagery and emotional depth. The poem seems to explore themes of memory, longing, and the passage of time, using vivid and often bizarre images to convey its messages.

Themes of Memory and Longing

The poem delves into the theme of memory, particularly the nostalgic recollection of a past that seems more vibrant and fulfilling than the present. The opening lines describe a journey into "white mountains" where "velvet blue cows" provide "pink milk," suggesting a world that is both familiar and strangely altered. This surreal imagery highlights the way memory can distort and enhance the past, making it seem more magical than reality. The repeated phrase "More, more" underscores a deep longing for something that is lost or unattainable, reflecting a universal human desire for what has been or what could be.

Themes of Loss and Despair

The theme of loss is evident in the poem's lament for a past that can no longer be recaptured. The "blue cows" are "dying," and the "hills are empty," symbolizing the fading of a once-rich and fulfilling life. The government's refusal to provide "snow" (a metaphor for the past or a desired state) adds a layer of despair, suggesting that external forces can restrict personal fulfillment. The final lines, where the speaker is reduced to "sneeze and shiver and croak," convey a sense of defeat and resignation, emphasizing the inevitability of loss and the struggle to cope with it.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The poem is rich with vivid and recurring imagery that contributes to its overall message. The "snow" serves as a central symbol, representing both a transformative force and a longed-for state. It is associated with beauty and escape, as seen in the "bubbles beautiful to forget" and the "velvet blue cows." However, it also represents a fleeting and unattainable ideal, as indicated by the government's refusal to provide it. The "bones" that "cry" and "telegram" their desires add a layer of physical and emotional pain, suggesting that the longing for the past is deeply ingrained and inescapable. The "blue cows" and "pink milk" are part of a surreal landscape that contrasts sharply with the "smoke valleys" of the present, highlighting the disparity between memory and reality.

Conclusion

"Snow" by Carl Sandburg is a poignant exploration of memory, longing, and loss. Through its surreal imagery and shifting tones, the poem captures the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and the struggle to reconcile the past with the present. The recurring symbols of snow, bones, and the surreal landscape contribute to a sense of longing and despair, underscoring the poem's themes of loss and the passage of time. Ultimately, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own memories and desires, and to consider the ways in which the past shapes our present and future.