Poem Analysis - Cleared The Cornfield Bare The Boughs Are

Autumnal Stillness and Anticipation

Sergei Yesenin's "Cleared The Cornfield, Bare The Boughs Are" paints a serene yet melancholic picture of late autumn. The poem evokes a sense of quiet anticipation, where nature is preparing for the harshness of winter. Its tone is predominantly contemplative, shifting from observations of the natural world to a more dreamlike, almost fantastical image in the final stanza. There's a subtle undercurrent of loneliness and acceptance of the inevitable change of seasons.

Yesenin's Connection to Rural Russia

Sergei Yesenin was deeply rooted in the Russian countryside, and his poetry frequently reflects his love for and connection to the rural landscape. Born into a peasant family, his work often draws on imagery of nature and peasant life. This background provides a crucial lens through which to understand the poem, as the setting is not merely decorative but deeply meaningful, representing a way of life and a connection to the earth.

The Cycle of Nature and Approaching Winter

One of the primary themes is the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of change, specifically as it relates to the seasons. The opening lines, "Cleared the cornfield, bare the boughs are," immediately establish the end of the harvest season and the coming dormancy of winter. This is further emphasized through the image of the "silent sun gone bowling," suggesting the sun's declining power and the shortening days. The personification of the "cart track" "thinking" about winter reinforces the idea that all of nature is aware of and preparing for the coming cold.

Loneliness and Isolation

A subtle but present theme is that of loneliness and isolation, mirroring the stark landscape. While not explicitly stated, the emptiness of the cleared cornfield and bare branches creates a sense of desolation. The rolling mist further enhances this feeling, obscuring the landscape and creating a sense of distance and separation. The "dozing" cart track, lost in its daydream, seems isolated and forgotten, adding to the overall feeling of solitude within the natural world.

Dreamlike Imagery and Unreality

The final stanza introduces a dreamlike quality with the image of the "bay moon leaping / Into our snow sledge's harness." This striking image contrasts with the more grounded observations of the previous stanzas. The moon, personified as a foal, creates a sense of unreality and wonder. This image may symbolize hope or perhaps a fleeting moment of beauty amidst the bleakness of the approaching winter, an escape into a fantastical realm. The use of the word "darkness" further suggests a move into a more internal, less tangible space.

Symbolism of Light and Darkness

Light and darkness serve as recurring symbols throughout the poem. The "silent sun" represents the fading light of autumn, while the "mist" and "darkness" in the final stanza foreshadow the long nights of winter. The "bay moon" acts as a contrasting source of light, albeit a cooler, more ethereal one. This interplay of light and darkness symbolizes the transition from a period of activity and growth to one of rest and dormancy, a cycle integral to the natural world and perhaps reflecting broader themes of life and death.

A Final Reflection

In conclusion, "Cleared The Cornfield, Bare The Boughs Are" is a poignant reflection on the transition from autumn to winter. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Yesenin explores themes of nature's cyclical patterns, the acceptance of change, and a subtle undercurrent of loneliness. The poem's significance lies in its ability to evoke a sense of quiet beauty and anticipation in the face of the inevitable, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of the natural world's enduring power and mystery. The poem beautifully encapsulates the melancholic beauty of a season's end.