Autumn Burial by David Park Barnitz
The narrative unfolds in a somber, atmospheric setting, where a funeral procession takes place under the full moon. The scene is imbued with a sense of reverence and melancholy as mourners carry the body of a beautiful woman through misty woods. The imagery evokes a connection between nature and the cycle of life and death, with the moon and stars observing the solemn event. The mourners, described as draped in white, reflect the purity and beauty of the deceased, emphasizing her significance among them. The woods, characterized as silent and solemn, serve as a backdrop that enhances the gravity of the occasion. The torches they carry flicker in the dim light, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life. As the procession moves deeper into the forest, the text highlights the contrast between the vibrant life of the woods and the stillness of death. The deceased is laid to rest in a grave adorned with grass, surrounded by towering trees that stand as silent witnesses to the burial. The imagery of shadows and the passing moon suggests the inevitability of time and the permanence of loss. The work explores themes of mortality, beauty, and the relationship between humanity and nature. The mourners' silent grief is palpable, and the setting amplifies the emotional weight of the moment. The final lines convey a sense of eternal rest for the deceased, who, now removed from the world, is enveloped in the tranquility of the forest, forever untouched by the passage of time.
By David Park Barnitz · First published 1986 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Romanticism · 190 words
First lines
The moon shone full that night, And fill'd with misty light The solemn clouds hung white Above her pall;
Waiting the golden dawn The silent woods stood wan, While through their aisles mov'd on Her funeral.
Palely their torches flare, While rob'd in white they bear Her corpse that was most fair Of them that die, By sleeping forests tall And woods funereal Through the decaying fall Beneath the sky.
The orbed moon looks down Upon her golden crown, From out the forest brown The wood-things stare;
What this Textopian page supports
Autumn Burial is listed on Textopian as a poem by David Park Barnitz, dated 1986 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: David Park Barnitz
- Date: 1986 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Romanticism, Nature Writing, Gothic
- Length: 190 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- Dedication by David Park Barnitz
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- Elegy — The poem reflects themes of mourning and loss, typical of elegiac poetry.
- Romanticism — The imagery and emotional depth align with Romantic themes, focusing on nature and individual experience.
- Nature Writing — The poem extensively describes natural elements, emphasizing the connection between the human experience and the natural world.
Tags
Literary Fiction · Family Drama · Coming-of-Age · Small Town Life · Mystery · Grief · Loss · Memory · Nostalgia · Social Class · Isolation · Loneliness