2 Jane Hirshfield Poems

Jane Hirshfield is a prolific poet who has published nine collections. These include The Beauty which was longlisted for the National Book Award, and Come, Thief, a finalist for the PEN USA Poetry Award. Her work is influenced by the arts, spirituality, and traditions.

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The Heat of Autumn

‘The Heat of Autumn’ attempts to illustrate the exquisite bittersweetness that distinguishes the warmth of fall from summer.

Jane Hirshfield (80) In this deceptively straightforward poem, Jane Hirshfield attempts to conjure an elusive but potent feeling inspired by the first warm days of autumn. Using a wealth of imagery and figurative language, the poet accentuates the somewhat conflicting harmony of emotions to be found in a season of transition. The resulting poem attempts to coax from these scenes an understanding that life must be savored not grieved.

The heat of autumn

is different from the heat of summer.

One ripens apples, the other turns them to cider.

One is a dock you walk out on,

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The Promise

‘The Promise’ Hirshfield navigates the pain of impermanence, culminating in the dual-edged promise of ‘Always’ from lovers.

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