Poem Analysis - By Degrees We Find We X 2019 Re All Departing

A Poet's Acceptance of Mortality

Sergei Yesenin's "By Degrees We Find We're All Departing" is a melancholic yet ultimately accepting meditation on death and the transience of life. The poem begins with a quiet acknowledgment of mortality, gradually evolving into a poignant reflection on the beauty of the earthly world and the connections that bind us to it. The overall tone is one of wistful resignation, tinged with both fear and a profound appreciation for the present moment. The poem shifts from a general statement about death to a personal contemplation of the speaker's own mortality, culminating in a reaffirmation of earthly bonds.

Yesenin and the Russian Landscape

Sergei Yesenin (1895-1925) was a prominent Russian poet known for his lyrical and often confessional verse. His work frequently celebrated the Russian countryside and explored themes of peasant life, revolution, and personal turmoil. Understanding this context helps to appreciate the poem's focus on nature. The "sweetest silver birches," "mother earth's horizon's sandy plain," and "peaceful aspens" are all iconic images of the Russian landscape that were deeply embedded in Yesenin's identity and poetic vision.

The Embrace of Nature

One of the central themes in the poem is the embrace of nature and earthly existence. Yesenin uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of a world teeming with beauty and vitality. The "sweetest silver birches," the "sandy plain," and the "peaceful aspens" are not merely scenic elements; they represent the life force that the speaker is reluctant to leave behind. This theme is developed through the speaker's acknowledgment that he has "too much cherished / All that turns the spirit into flesh," suggesting a deep connection to the physical world and its pleasures.

The Inevitable Departure

Mortality is a recurring theme, introduced in the opening lines and woven throughout the poem. The phrase "By degrees we find we're all departing" sets a tone of inevitability. This awareness of death isn't portrayed as terrifying but rather as a natural progression. The speaker observes "hosts departing," further emphasizing the universality of death. The poem's strength lies in its honest confrontation with this reality, acknowledging the pain of separation while simultaneously finding solace in the beauty of the world left behind.

Love and Connection as Anchors

The theme of love and connection acts as a counterpoint to the poem's contemplation of death. The speaker finds joy in "women's kisses" and affirms the importance of human relationships. More significantly, the line "Those I love they therefore find their station / Here with me on planet earth below" suggests that love acts as an anchor, grounding the speaker in the present and making the prospect of departure more difficult. This line reframes death not as an end but as a separation from loved ones, highlighting the profound significance of earthly bonds.

Recurring Imagery: The Departing Host

The image of the "departing host" is a recurring symbol in the poem, representing the multitude of souls who have passed on. This image evokes a sense of vastness and the sheer scale of death, but it also carries a hint of mystery. Where are these "hosts" going? What awaits them in the "serene and silent land"? The fact that the speaker acknowledges his inability to "hide my pain" upon seeing these departing souls reveals the emotional impact of witnessing mortality. The "departing host" does not go to a better place; their destination "fields of corn in mist they do not glow" suggesting the afterlife is at best bleak.

Concluding Thoughts: A Delicate Balance

In conclusion, "By Degrees We Find We're All Departing" is a poignant and deeply personal reflection on mortality, love, and the beauty of the natural world. Yesenin masterfully balances the melancholy acceptance of death with a profound appreciation for the earthly existence. The poem's strength lies in its honesty and its ability to evoke a sense of shared human experience. It reminds us to cherish the present moment, appreciate the beauty around us, and value the connections that bind us to each other.