Poem Analysis - Canes Have Started Rustling On The River Bank

Melancholy and Foreboding in a Rustic Setting

Sergei Yesenin's "Canes Have Started Rustling On The River Bank" is a poignant and haunting poem, steeped in a sense of impending doom. The tone is overwhelmingly melancholic, painting a picture of a young woman consumed by sorrow and fear. The poem begins with a scene of quiet despair and progressively builds an atmosphere of supernatural dread, culminating in a suggestion of tragic fate. The use of natural imagery is both beautiful and unsettling, highlighting the vulnerability of the young woman within a seemingly indifferent world.

Nature's Sympathy and Ominous Signs

One of the central themes in this poem is the sense of foreboding and ill fate. The poem is permeated with imagery that hints at impending tragedy. The "goblin" foretelling a "very frightening thing," the "mice" stripping the birch bark in an aggressive manner, the "horses fight[ing] so threateningly," all contribute to a feeling of unease. Even the "loud winds singing their dirge-like songs" suggest that nature itself is mourning a loss yet to come. These elements create a powerful sense of doom that overshadows the young woman's existence.

Lost Innocence and Unrequited Longing

Another key theme revolves around lost innocence and the pain of unfulfilled love. The image of the "Princess-girl" crying beside the river immediately evokes a sense of vulnerability. Her act of chanting "loves me - loves me not" while casting flowers into the river suggests a naive attempt to divine her romantic fate. The phrase "unwoven flowers" paints a powerful image of failed romance or lost potential. The fact that she is "not to marry later in the spring" further reinforces the idea of a future denied, a life robbed of its natural progression.

Symbols of Purity and Threat

Several recurring symbols contribute to the poem's overall message. The river, in this context, represents not only life but also the flow of fate. The "foamy wave spinning her a shroud" is a striking image that directly links the river to death and foreshadows the girl's demise. The "dark hair" that the goblin hates could symbolize the girl's youth, beauty, or even her spirit, all of which are perceived as threats. The incense from the groves may be there to protect her, but its power is clearly not enough to change the fate that is coming. One might interpret the "goblin" as a metaphor for societal constraints or even the oppressive forces of a patriarchal society, that steal the joy and beauty from the young woman's existence.

Tragedy Foreshadowed: A Final Reflection

In conclusion, "Canes Have Started Rustling On The River Bank" is a deeply affecting poem that explores themes of loss, foreboding, and the vulnerability of innocence in the face of an uncaring or even hostile world. Through vivid imagery and a haunting tone, Yesenin creates a scene of profound sadness and impending tragedy. The poem's power lies in its ability to evoke a sense of unease and to leave the reader pondering the forces that conspire to rob the young woman of her future, leaving her at the mercy of a dark and mysterious fate. The final image of the foamy wave as a shroud suggests a tragic inevitability, a poignant reminder of life's fragility.