Fading October

October fades, bringing me November

And a question it paints to my face

Shall the burden of this passing, pass?

Bring me on to only a frenzy and haze

Amidst October rain, I sat stilled once

For the wait I put, it granted me lone

The gentle caress of the October soul

Beached, breached me, in a sad tone

October, October, you obnoxious foe

Your presence bring such pain untold

The season now will be of lonely nights

My heart aches now and my soul is cold

October, kind at your departure be

You and I must at such parting see

What was lost is only my will to live

What I gained is my wish to heal

An analysis by bard.google.com

## Analysis

The poem "Fading October" is a lyrical exploration of grief and loss. ### the month itself has become a powerful symbol of love, longing, and sorrow. As the speaker personifies October and addresses it directly, the poem becomes a poignant dialogue between the grieving speaker and the absent lover.

The first stanza establishes the central theme of the poem: the speaker's struggle to come to terms with the loss of their lover. The speaker's question, "Shall the burden of this passing, pass?" reflects their uncertainty about whether they will ever be able to move on from their grief. The speaker's use of the word "passing" also suggests that they are still processing their lover's death and have not yet fully accepted it.

The second stanza provides a more intimate glimpse into the speaker's grief. The speaker describes a time when they sat still in the October rain, waiting for their lover. The image of the speaker waiting in the rain is a powerful metaphor for their grief process. The speaker's perception of their lover's "gentle caress" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is still able to feel their lover's presence, even though they are no longer physically present.

The third stanza marks a shift in tone, as the speaker becomes more angry and accusatory. The speaker directly addresses October as their "obnoxious foe," suggesting that they blame October for bringing them so much pain. The speaker's use of the word "obnoxious" also suggests that they are struggling to accept the natural cycle of life and death.

The final stanza suggests that the speaker is beginning to heal, but the process is still ongoing. The speaker asks October to be "kind at your departure," suggesting that they are ready for the month to end and for a new season to begin. The speaker's final line, "What I gained is my wish to heal," suggests that they are beginning to find hope and resilience in the midst of their grief.

## Criticism

"Fading October" is a well-crafted and moving poem. The speaker's use of personification, imagery, and metaphor is particularly effective in conveying their emotions. The poem is also well-structured, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of climax and resolution.

One minor criticism is that the poem could be more specific in describing the speaker's relationship with their lover. This would help the reader to connect with the speaker's emotions on a deeper level. Additionally, the poem could be strengthened by including a more hopeful message at the end. The speaker's final stanza suggests that they are beginning to heal, but it would be nice to see a more explicit expression of hope or optimism.

Overall, "Fading October" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complex emotions of grief and loss. It is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the loss of a loved one.