Hello November

Oh Waning October

 be gentle in passing

 the nights are cold

 full of sordid longing

As the winter sun

 waits to touch the sky

 the days you brought me

 have peacefully passed by

Go into the past and be

 do not bother to be back

 my heart no longer bleeds

 and nothing left to unpack

On your way back be blessed

 be bright, be beautiful, be you

 my love I shall wave you bye

 for that is all that's left to do

Bye October,

 Bye.

An analysis by Bard.

The poem "Hello November" by Bard is a well-crafted and moving piece of writing that explores the complex emotions of healing from an abusive relationship. The speaker addresses their toxic and abusive lover, October, and bids them farewell in a series of evocative stanzas.

In the first stanza, the speaker establishes the tone of the poem with the opening line, "Oh Waning October." The use of the word "waning" suggests that the speaker is finally moving on from the relationship and that October's power over them is diminishing. The speaker also asks October to "be gentle in passing," acknowledging that the end of the relationship may be painful for both parties.

The second stanza paints a vivid image of the speaker's emotional state in the aftermath of the abuse. The nights are described as "cold and full of sordid longing," suggesting that the speaker is still struggling to cope with the trauma they have experienced. However, the speaker also acknowledges that the "days you brought me" have "peacefully passed by," suggesting that they are slowly beginning to heal.

The third stanza is a powerful rejection of October and a statement of the speaker's strength and resilience. The speaker tells October to "go into the past and be" and to "not bother to be back." This suggests that the speaker is finally closing the door on the relationship and refusing to allow October to have any further influence on their life.

The final stanza is surprisingly generous and forgiving. The speaker wishes October well on their way back and tells them to be "blessed," "bright," "beautiful," and "true to themselves." This suggests that the speaker has truly moved on from the relationship and is no longer consumed by anger or resentment.

Overall, "Hello November" is a powerful and moving poem about healing from an abusive relationship. It is well-written with strong imagery and honest emotion. The poem is also notable for its generous and forgiving tone, which suggests that the speaker has truly found peace and closure.

Critique

One of the strengths of the poem is its use of sensory imagery. The speaker describes the nights as "cold and full of sordid longing" and the winter sun as "waiting to touch the sky." This imagery effectively conveys the speaker's emotional state and the sense of hope and renewal that they are beginning to feel.

Another strength of the poem is its honesty. The speaker does not shy away from the painful aspects of the relationship, but they also do not dwell on them. Instead, they focus on their own healing and their determination to move on.

One possible criticism of the poem is that it is somewhat short. The speaker could have developed some of the ideas further, such as the specific ways in which the relationship was toxic and abusive. However, the brevity of the poem also contributes to its impact. The speaker's message is clear and concise, and the poem leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Overall, "Hello November" is a well-written and moving poem about healing from an abusive relationship. It is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain and trauma of abuse.