Summary
The text is a contemplative and somewhat melancholic reflection on the nature of the month of December, personified as a god with a complex and harsh character.
Abstract
The poem "I Think of a god They Call December" paints a vivid picture of December as a deity that embodies the stark and unforgiving aspects of winter. It is depicted as a cold and distant entity, bringing despair to the valleys and abandoning its followers, leaving behind empty altars and broken doors. The author reflects on the bitterness and vanity of this god, despite the praise it receives, highlighting the harsh realities of the season that are often overshadowed by its festive associations.
Opinions
- December is portrayed as a cruel and indifferent god, reflecting the harshness of winter.
- The poem suggests a disconnect between the reverence for December, often celebrated in spring, and its actual nature, which is cold and unforgiving.
- There is a sense of abandonment and forgetfulness associated with December, as if its believers have left it behind, leading to a feeling of desolation.
- The author seems to grapple with the duality of December's nature—its capacity to inspire both awe and hardship.
- The imagery used conveys a sense of decay and neglect, with references to massacre, despair, and broken doors, emphasizing the month's bleak impact on the landscape and its inhabitants.
