Those Darling Buds of May, the splendid days,

Return to the cold winter of July.

The flight of the blessed dragonfly,

The autumn sun, are now a passing phase.

Afternoons soon will become England grey,

The midnight clocks have found their lost hour,

The hurried have shivers in the shower,

And the night will chase closer to the day.

Pack up your picnic, put away the rugs,

Quiet, shut the farmer’s market garden,

A sign on the front gate begs our pardon,

And fast asleep are the summer bugs. 

Can you see? There, can you feel your cold breath?

The garden brown, the lawn  frost white and wet,

The spider’s web hangs like a cargo-net,

We soon forget the summer-flower’s death.

The night bed ruffled from reluctant feet,

Hospital corners, tucked and folded tight.

Coldness and darkness are cloaks for the night,

Long, long, long must this winter dance repeat.

The night, morning is not eager to meet,

When so slow the light is now to wake,

The fog-filled-road from home to town you take,

And rain, relentless on the city street.

Critique by Alexis Ingram

“Farewell to Summer Days” is a poignant reflection on the transition from the warmth and vibrancy of summer to the cold embrace of winter. Here’s a critique of the poem:

1. Evocative Imagery: The poem effectively utilizes vivid imagery to evoke the changing seasons. Lines such as “The garden brown, the lawn frost white and wet” and “The spider’s web hangs like a cargo-net” paint a clear picture of the wintry scene, allowing readers to visualize the transformation from summer to winter.

2. Emotional Depth: The poem captures the bittersweet essence of bidding farewell to summer, employing nostalgic and melancholic tones. The imagery of packing up picnics, the quiet closure of the farmer’s market, and the summer bugs asleep conveys a sense of loss and longing for the warmth and liveliness of the previous season.

3. Symbolism and Metaphor: The poem effectively employs symbolism and metaphor to convey deeper meanings. For instance, the transition from summer to winter symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The references to the dragonfly’s flight and the autumn sun as “passing phases” serve as metaphors for the transient nature of life and seasons.

4. Rhythmic Flow: The poem maintains a consistent rhythm and flow, aided by its structured stanzaic form and use of rhyme. This rhythmic consistency enhances the readability and musicality of the poem, drawing readers deeper into its imagery and emotions.

5. Repetitive Phrasing: While repetition can be effective in emphasizing certain themes or emotions, it’s important to ensure that it doesn’t become overly repetitive or monotonous. In this poem, the repeated use of phrases such as “night” and “long” in the final stanza may slightly diminish the impact of the imagery and emotion conveyed.

Overall, “Farewell to Summer Days” is a well-crafted poem that skillfully captures the poignant transition from summer to winter, inviting readers to reflect on the passage of time and the cyclical nature of seasons. With its evocative imagery, emotional depth, and rhythmic flow, the poem effectively conveys the beauty and melancholy of seasonal change.