“AUTUMN HAZE” by Amy Lowell

“Autumn Haze” by Amy Lowell can be seen as a prime example of imagist poetry, as

it uses precise language and vivid imagery to create a clear and concise impression of a

fleeting moment in nature. It presents a single image of an object settling on the water, and

the speaker’s uncertainty about whether it is a dragonfly or a maple leaf, as they both have a

delicate and ephemeral quality.

The poem’s focus on the visual image of the object settling on the water is typical of

imagist poetry, which often prioritizes the visual over the verbal. The use of sensory details,

such as the word “softly”, to describe the settling of the object creates a clear and concise

image in the reader’s mind. The poem’s title, “Autumn Haze”, also suggests a focus on

sensory experience, as the word “haze” creates a visual image of a soft, misty atmosphere.

The focus on sensory experience and visual imagery reflects the key principles of the imagist

movement.

The question in the poem draws the reader's attention to the subtle yet significant differences

between the dragonfly and the maple leaf, and the act of settling softly upon the water. The

dragonfly, with its delicate wings, represents the fleetingness of life, while the maple leaf

represents the passing of time and the changing of the seasons. The image of either settling

softly upon the water further emphasizes the fragility and beauty of nature.

Overall, the poem "Autumn Haze" is a meditation on the beauty and transience of life,

as reflected in the changing of the seasons. The poem's use of imagism, with its precise and

evocative images, invites readers to contemplate the delicate balance of nature and the many

mysteries it holds. It is a poignant reminder of the impermanence of all things, and the beauty

that can be found in even the most fleeting moments.