The poem "An Autumn Day" suggests a cyclical nature of emotions and seasons, emphasizing that despair and melancholy are often temporary, giving way to renewal and hope. Through contrasting imagery and the reflection on the passage of time, it concludes that, despite current bleakness, joy and vitality will eventually return, analogous to the changing seasons. The speaker acknowledges the pain of loss but ultimately finds solace in the promise of future warmth and happiness.
Use the poem to answer the question. In 1–3 sentences, explain a conclusion that can be drawn about the poem based on its poetic elements.
An Autumn Day by Ella Wheeler Wilcox Leaden skies and a lonesome shadow Where summer has passed with her gorgeous train; Snow on the mountain, and frost on the meadow – A white face pressed to the window pane; A cold mist falling, a bleak wind calling, And oh! but life seems vain. Rain is better than golden weather, When the heart is dulled with a dumb despair. Dead leaves lie where they walked together, The hammock is gone, and the rustic chair. Let bleak snows cover the whole world over – It will never again seem fair. Time laughs lightly at youth’s sad ‘Never,’ Summer shall come again, smiling once more, High o’er the cold world the sun shines for ever, Hearts that seemed dead are alive at the core. Oh, but the pain of it -oh, but the gain of it, After the shadows pass o’er.
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