As Imperceptibly as Grief : Poem Anthology

“As imperceptibly as..”

“As imperceptibly as grief the summer lapsed away.”

The first line of the poem is the same as the title emphasising the theme of the poem and showcasing the themes of loss and hope to follow.

The word “imperceptibly” suggests no one notices the speakers pain or grief.

“Grief” suggests an overwhelming and almost unbearable sadness due to loss.

The speaker also establishes a link between summer and grief.

Summer fading reflects the fading of grief.

“Too imperceptible..”

“Too imperceptible at last.”

Thos line magnifies the first line and the way the speaker sees summer and grief as being intertwined.

She highlights the idea that the same way summer can slip away unnoticed so can grief.

The speaker is saddened by summer leaving as loss can sadden oneself through the grief.

It creates as sense of mystery, sadness and melancholy as the speaker reflects on how quickly change and loss can occur even when not immediately obvious.

“A quietness..”

“A quietness distilled as twilight long begun.”

Summer and grief are presented with a sense of stillness and being closes off from the world in a comforting way.

She is showing how grief can be positive and time of reflection and comfort not just sadness as autumn can be.

“Twilight” is used as a metaphor for time passing and the natural daytime cycle.

Dark and night can be associated with sadness which shows the contrast of emotions that can be felt throughout grieving.

However, just as the seasons and day are natural - so is loss and grief.

“Dusk drew earlier…”

“Dusk drew earlier in the - the morning foreign shone.”

Dusk drew earlier in shows how the nights are getting longer as summer draws too and end and the sadness of grief can sometimes engulf you to the point the sun (happiness) may seem far and foreign.

However, it’s natural for this to happen and eventually dawn, the sun and summertime will all return even if you don’t notice it as it happens so gradually.

Suggests the fragility of life.

Happiness and loss can co-exist once you accept grief.

“Harrowing grace..”

“Harrowing grace as guest that would be gone.”

Harrowing grace is an almost oxymoron perhaps suggesting the conflicting feelings that can be felt while grieving.

The speaker acknowledges both the comfort of grief but also the sadness.

Grace could refer to God and the afterlife and the natural nature of death.

As guest that would be gone personifies the meaning of a guest leaving suggesting everything enjoyable must come to an end even when you don’t want it to.

“Our summer…”

“Our summer made her light escape into the beautiful.”

The poem ends with a full stop which is never used prior to this highlighting how the speaker has accepted grief and you must do so to transcend past the sadness that grief brings.

Summer is personified as beautiful an extended metaphor for the speakers brief - showing how the transition away from brief is beautiful and while you may not realise it at first when it’s gradually disappearing the beauty felt will become evident.

“Into the beautiful” encompasses the beauty of accepting grief and being able to move past to.

The finality of summer and grief has passed and the speaker has realised and accepted the imperceptible change that occurred.