Poem Analysis - Wind Song

Initial Impressions and Tone

Carl Sandburg's Wind Song is a reflective and somewhat nostalgic poem that captures the essence of a moment spent in an old apple orchard. The tone is contemplative and somewhat melancholic, with a sense of longing for a past experience. The poem shifts from a memory of learning to listen to the wind to a broader reflection on the nature of the wind and its enduring presence. The use of vivid imagery and repetitive phrases creates a rhythmic, almost hypnotic effect, drawing the reader into the poet's recollection.

Themes of Reflection and Connection

The poem explores several interconnected themes, including reflection, the passage of time, and the enduring power of nature. The speaker's memory of learning to listen to the wind in an old apple orchard serves as a metaphor for gaining wisdom and understanding. The wind, with its repetitive question Who, who are you?, represents the mysteries of life and the natural world. The speaker's ability to listen to the wind and forget, or to hear the deep whine, suggests a deep connection to nature and an acceptance of its cyclical patterns.

Imagery and Symbolism

The orchard itself is a powerful symbol, representing a place of learning and reflection. The wind, with its money-counting and throwing away, symbolizes the passage of time and the transient nature of life. The wind's question Who, who are you? is a recurring motif that underscores the theme of identity and self-discovery. The wind's whistling and whining create a haunting, almost ghostly atmosphere, suggesting the presence of something both familiar and mysterious. The orchard's limbs that fork out and listen or never listened at all add to the sense of a place that is both alive and inert, a place where the speaker can both learn and forget.

The Enduring Presence of Nature

The poem's final lines emphasize the enduring presence of nature and the wind's unchanging nature. The question Who can ever forget listening to the wind go by counting its money and throwing it away? suggests that the experience of listening to the wind is both memorable and universal. The wind's actions of counting and throwing away money symbolize the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change. The poem's final image of the wind going by, counting its money and throwing it away, underscores the theme of the passage of time and the enduring power of nature.

Conclusion

Wind Song is a deeply reflective poem that uses vivid imagery and symbolism to explore themes of reflection, the passage of time, and the enduring power of nature. The orchard and the wind serve as powerful symbols, representing places of learning and the mysteries of life. The poem's final lines emphasize the enduring presence of nature and the inevitability of change, offering a profound insight into the human experience. The poem's contemplative tone and haunting imagery create a lasting impression, inviting the reader to reflect on their own experiences and connections to the natural world.