Poem Analysis - Besides The Autumn Poets Sing

Autumn's Transition and Yearning for Acceptance

Emily Dickinson's "Besides the Autumn Poets Sing" is a quiet meditation on the transition from vibrant autumn to the starkness of winter. The poem begins with a subtle dismissal of typical autumnal celebrations, moving instead towards a more introspective view of nature's decline and a personal plea for inner peace. The tone shifts from observational to subtly melancholic, then finally to hopeful and supplicating. While nature's beauty fades, the speaker seeks solace and strength within herself, revealing a desire for resilience in the face of change.

The Fading of Autumn's Grandeur

The poem directly addresses the theme of mortality and change, specifically as manifested in the changing seasons. The opening lines acknowledge the conventional "Autumn poets" and their songs, but quickly contrast this with a more realistic depiction: "A few prosaic days / A little this side of the snow." This suggests a disillusionment with idealized views of autumn. The mention of "Mr. Bryant’s Golden Rod / And Mr. Thomson’s sheaves" implies that even the great poets' representations of autumn’s bounty are now gone. Nature's vivid colours and abundance are yielding to a less dramatic, more subdued reality. This natural decay reflects a broader sense of transience and the inevitability of loss.

Seeking Solace in Solitude and Nature

Isolation emerges as another prominent theme. As the external world grows quieter and less vibrant, the speaker turns inward. The imagery of "Mesmeric fingers softly touch / The Eyes of many Elves" creates a sense of a hidden, almost mystical world that exists even as autumn fades. This suggests the speaker finds solace in the unseen, in the quiet beauty that persists beyond the obvious. The line "Perhaps a squirrel may remain / My sentiments to share" highlights the speaker’s connection to nature and underscores her isolation. The squirrel, a creature also preparing for winter, becomes a companion in her solitude.

The Imagery of Sensory Deprivation and Mystical Connection

Dickinson uses imagery of sensory deprivation and subtle magic. "Still, is the bustle in the Brook / Sealed are the spicy valves" creates a feeling of quietude and a lessening of sensory input. The brooks are no longer noisy, and the "spicy valves" (likely referring to seed pods) are closed, signifying the end of the season's bounty. However, this sensory decline is balanced by the mystical image of "Mesmeric fingers softly touch / The Eyes of many Elves." This symbolizes a deeper, more spiritual connection to nature, a sense that even in decline, there is still magic and wonder to be found. The elves, figures of folklore, represent a hidden world that the speaker seems attuned to, offering a unique perspective on the transition from autumn to winter.

A Prayer for Inner Strength and Acceptance

The poem culminates in a prayer: "Grant me, Oh Lord, a sunny mind / Thy windy will to bear!" This direct address to God reveals the speaker's ultimate desire: to maintain a "sunny mind" – a positive and resilient outlook – even as she faces the "windy will" of fate or the changing seasons. This reflects the theme of acceptance. The "windy will" could represent challenges, hardships, or simply the inevitable changes of life. The speaker is not asking to be spared from these trials, but rather for the strength to endure them with grace and a positive attitude. This ending transforms the poem from a simple observation of autumn to a personal plea for inner strength and acceptance in the face of life's uncertainties.