Second Spring

Second Spring

We have no passions left to love the spring
Who had suffered autumn as we did, alone
Walking through dominions of a browning laughter
Carrying our loneliness our loving and our grief.

How can we know another spring.
For there will come no flower where was fruit before
Now we have little use for spring's relentless seeking
Who walked the long, unquestioned path
Straight into autumn's arms
Who saw the summer passions wither
Into a leaf to hide our naked tears.

Earth is still sweet, for autumn teaches bearing
And new sun will warm our proud and cautious feet
But spring came once
And we have seen the road that led through summer
Beautiful and bright as clover on a hill
Become a vast appalling wilderness and rain
While we stood still, racked on the autumn's knowing
Binding cold love to us with the corners of her shroud.

Publication Information: Book Title: The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde. Contributors: Audre Lorde - author. Publisher: W. W. Norton. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 1997. Page Number: 10.

This poem speaks of Spring as a beautiful season, that may never be replaced. The poet uses many types literary techniques, such as personification and metaphors. The poet says "cautious feet," an example of personification. An example of metaphor is when the poet says the earth is sweet. Also, simile is used to describe the road is like clover on a hill. After Spring, it will become Summer and then Fall. The seasons do not stop changing, for they will keep on going. One season will replace the next. But, since it is a cycle, the second spring will come again. The poem at first has a tone of sadness, but by the end transforms to a happier tone. I think this poem can be compared to our lives is a cycle as well.