Come, come thou bleak December wind (fragment) by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Poem, Summary, & Analysis)

 

Come, come thou bleak December wind (fragment)

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

Come, come thou bleak December wind (fragment)

Come, come thou bleak December wind,

And blow the dry leaves from the tree!

Flash, like a Love-thought, thro' me, Death

And take a Life that wearies me.

 

Summary

The speaker calls upon the harsh December wind to blow the dry leaves off the trees, symbolizing desolation and the stripping away of life. This imagery reflects the speaker’s own emotional turmoil and weariness. The invocation of the wind suggests a longing for an external force to bring an end to his suffering.

In the next lines, the speaker invokes death, comparing it to a sudden, intense flash—like a fleeting thought of love. This simile suggests a paradoxical connection between love and death, emphasizing the swift and consuming nature of both. The speaker desires death to pass through him just as quickly, highlighting his deep despair.

The final line reveals the root of his sorrow: life itself has become burdensome. The speaker, overwhelmed by grief or emotional exhaustion, longs for death to release him from his suffering. The short fragment expresses a moment of profound melancholy, where nature’s harshness mirrors the speaker’s internal despair.

 

Analysis

Theme of Despair and Weariness

The poem conveys deep emotional suffering and a sense of hopelessness. The speaker longs for the harsh December wind to strip away the last remnants of life, reflecting an internal struggle with despair. The mention of death suggests a yearning for escape, indicating profound melancholy and emotional exhaustion.

 

Symbolism and Imagery

December Wind: Represents the cold, harsh, and unforgiving forces of nature, mirroring the speaker's desolate state of mind. December, the final month of the year, could symbolize the end of a cycle or life itself.

Dry Leaves: Symbolize decay, loss, and the passage of time. Just as the wind strips trees of their last leaves, the speaker may feel that life is stripping away all that he holds dear.

Flash of Love-Thought and Death: The comparison between death and a "Love-thought" is paradoxical. Love is typically associated with warmth and vitality, whereas death signifies an end. This contrast highlights the speaker’s inner conflict—perhaps suggesting that love, or its loss, has led him to despair.

 

Tone and Mood

The poem’s tone is intensely melancholic and sorrowful. The speaker’s direct invocation of natural forces and death gives the poem a dramatic, almost desperate quality. The brevity of the lines and the fragmentary nature of the poem enhance its raw emotional impact.

 

Structure and Style

The poem is short, reinforcing the idea of a fleeting, intense moment of pain.

The rhythm is direct and forceful, resembling a cry of anguish.

The use of imperatives ("Come, come," "Blow," "Flash," "Take") conveys urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is pleading with nature and fate.

 

Romantic Context

As a Romantic poet, Coleridge often explored themes of nature, emotion, and the supernatural. In this fragment, nature becomes a reflection of human suffering, a common Romantic motif. The interplay between external forces (the wind, death) and internal emotions (weariness, longing) exemplifies the Romantic fascination with the connection between man and nature.

 

Conclusion

Though brief, this fragment encapsulates a powerful expression of sorrow, loneliness, and a desire for release from suffering. Coleridge masterfully uses natural imagery and stark contrasts to evoke deep emotional intensity, making this a poignant reflection on despair and the fragility of human existence.