1. Detailed outline
2. Sample essay #1
3. Sample essay #2
4. Sample essay #3
5. Sample essay #4
6. Sample essay #5
5 Sample Essays: Reflections on the Poem Autumn Serenade
I. Outline of Reflections on the Poem Autumn Serenade (Standard)
1. Introduction
Provide a general overview of the poem 'Autumn Serenade.'
2. Body of the Essay
a. Unexpected Signals of Autumn's Arrival:
- The gentle scent of guava mingles with a hint of sweetness
- The breeze starts to turn cool, carrying the guava fragrance afar
- Autumn dew blankets the space with an incredibly serene appearance, a bit shy and slow, yet charmingly graceful.
=> A bit perplexed, surprised as autumn softly begins
b. Nature's Canvas in the Moment of Autumn
- The river seems wider, flowing 'gently,' slowly
- The birds cease their carefree flight and become more hurried, reminding each other to swiftly head south before the cold of winter arrives
- Summer clouds are 'squeezing themselves' to welcome autumn
=> The scene of autumn is tranquil, relaxed, and full of charm
c. Life Philosophy Embedded in the Poem
- 'Rain,' 'thunder and lightning' symbolize the natural metaphors for life's storms.
- 'Mature trees standing tall' represent individuals who have matured, faced many challenges, storms, and obstacles.
=> Time has tempered individuals with resilience, to confidently step into new paths, new journeys without fear of difficulties, without hesitation.
3. Conclusion
Reflections on the Value of the Poem
II. Sample Essay: Reflections on the Poem Autumn Serenade
1. Reflections on the Poem Autumn Serenade, Sample #1 (Standard)
Autumn always possesses a mysterious allure that captivates countless poets, inducing a sense of fluttering and excitement. Neither bursting with the vivacity of spring nor carrying the chilling numbness of winter, autumn brings to humanity a gentleness, tranquility, and serenity. It is precisely for this reason that, in poetry, autumn submerges individuals in a subtle melancholy, within the vast, enchanting realm of autumn mist, autumn atmosphere, and autumn sky. Reading Huu Thinh's 'Autumn Serenade,' one becomes even more fervently enchanted, deeply immersed in the essence of autumn.
' Suddenly realizing the scent of guava,
Inhaling it in the cool breeze,
The guava fragrance wafts through the alley,
As if autumn has arrived.'
Perhaps it was one morning when the poet awoke, wandering around to enjoy the dreamy atmosphere, then somewhere, the gentle scent of guava mixed with a hint of sweetness drifted in. The poet 'suddenly' felt a bit surprised by the freshness of the guava breaking through the cool breeze. It wasn't the golden leaves in the poems of Luu Trong Lu or Nguyen Khuyen, nor the new rice fragrance in Nguyen Dinh Thi's poems; it was the taste of hometown guava, a simple, humble fruit. The guava fragrance 'wafted' in the cool morning breeze, the wind carrying that fragrance far away, permeating the poet's soul with emotions full of love, creating a sense of both regret for the past summer and eager anticipation as autumn arrives.
'Dew lingering through the alley.'
Unlike the dense, hurried morning dew of summer, filling the early morning paths, autumn dew comes to the land and sky in an extremely calm manner, with a hint of shyness, slow and tender, like the charming and graceful shyness passing through every home alley and street corner of the homeland. One can feel the space within the misty enchantment, both sparkling and alluring, due to the scent and hue of the approaching autumn.
'Seems like autumn has arrived.'
The use of 'seems like' at the beginning of the sentence conveys a mix of confusion, astonishment, nostalgia, and joy experienced by the poet upon realizing the changing scenery, also signaling the arrival of autumn.
'The river flows gently,
Birds start hurrying,
Summer clouds are squeezing themselves,
Half squeezing into autumn.'
The Best Reflections on the Poem Autumn Serenade
Time passes, and everything will change; autumn is no exception. The river seems wider, flowing 'gently,' slowly. Perhaps with the arrival of autumn, the river has the opportunity to relax, enjoying the sweet taste of autumn air. The river flows gently, embracing the village after the green bamboo clusters, creating a truly peaceful and marvelous scene. The birds cease their carefree flight and become more hurried, reminding each other to swiftly head south before the winter chill sets in. The river flows gently, and the birds hurry, each element displaying its unique state and mood in the moment of autumn. The author's keen observation is evident in the image of 'summer clouds' 'squeezing themselves' into autumn. Those captivating clouds have crafted a sky full of beauty. The personification skillfully adds interest and uniqueness to those clouds.
The clouds serve as a bridge during the transition from summer to autumn. Perhaps those clouds still long for the radiant burning sun of summer, yet they are also eager to step into the gentle and peaceful days of autumn. The portrayal of autumn through Huu Thinh's talented pen and insightful perception is charming and captivating.
'Still plenty of sunshine
Slowly fading the rain
Thunder becomes less surprising
Among the mature standing trees.'
Autumn arrives, and the sun still lingers on the rooftops, on every clump of bamboo, and within every breath of the land and sky. Autumn arrives, and the summer storms gradually subside. Thunder and lightning no longer bring sudden surprises. Beyond a realistic portrayal, the poem also conveys a meaningful message about life and existence. 'Rain,' 'thunder and lightning' are natural symbols representing the storms of life that one cannot predict or prevent, much like the storms, the tempests everyone must face. The 'mature trees standing tall' symbolize individuals who have matured, traversed many challenges, storms, and obstacles. They gradually acquire experiences for themselves.
Therefore, when facing challenges, they are stronger, no longer overly fearful but calmly confront, accept. Time has tempered people's resilience, enabling them to confidently step into new paths, new journeys, unafraid of difficulties, unyielding in the face of fear.
Huu Thinh has contributed a beautiful, captivating, and sensual autumn melody to the national poetry. The allure of this work stems not only from its language and poetic style but also from the heart of the author embedded within the piece.
2. Reflections on the Poem Autumn Serenade, Sample #2:
'Poetry is the autumn of the human heart, autumn is the poetry of the land and sky.' For a long time, autumn has become an endless source, inspiring poetic arts. The bright scenes of nature, the clear autumn sky, the gentle autumn air, and the pure autumn scenery have captivated the hearts of many poets. With delicacy and humility, Huu Thinh contributes a natural perspective of 'Autumn Serenade' to celebrate the harvest seasons, the fragrance of the land and sky, the homeland.
To kick off the poem, Huu Thinh, the poet, first sends to the reader his subtle perception of the approaching autumn in the rural atmosphere:
'Suddenly aware of the aroma of guava
In the breeze, it gently wafts
Dew meandering through the alley
It seems autumn has arrived.'
Amidst the familiar setting of the Northern countryside, the poet sensibly detects the scent of ripe guava. It's a sweet, intense, and refreshing aroma of the homeland, emanating from souls that have nurtured and cultivated the guava fragrance. It's a familiar and simple flavor, reminiscent of the homeland's autumn. Not the corn leaves as in Bich Khe's poetry, nor the scent of freshly harvested rice in Nguyen Dinh Thi's 'Land of the Country,' but with nuanced perception and deep love for the homeland, the scent of guava permeates the poet's soul, awakening unique sensations, realizing the wondrous arrival of autumn on earth. However, the robust, sweet aroma of guava drifting in the cool breeze only enhances the sweetness and smoothness of the guava fragrance. Huu Thinh also shares his perceptions of the clouds as autumn sets in:
'Dew meandering through the alley.'
Essay on Reflections about the poem 'Autumn Landscape' with an outlined structure
The phrase 'chùng chình' expresses the dreamy, graceful, and charming beauty like a young girl shyly embracing the elegance around the village. The rural landscape is immersed in a veil of mist, adding an extra touch of mystique and brilliance to nature. And in the scent of guava on the gentle breeze, facing those drifting clouds, our poet is bewildered, 'It seems autumn has arrived.' The term 'it seems' conveys the poet's feelings of ambiguity, the poignant mood, and the hesitancy to believe that autumn has truly arrived. It is the poet's soulful lament, both amazed by the advent of autumn and nostalgic for the departure of summer. Truly a sensitive soul, deeply in love with nature.
Moving to the next stanza, we encounter a keen perception of autumn nature in the earthly realm. The refinement and the eager desire for communion, the wish to grasp the changes in all things, are vividly expressed:
'The river flows gently
Birds start to hurry
There are clouds of summer
Squeezing themselves into autumn.'
The autumn river no longer rushes hurriedly as in the summer days; it flows gently, calmly, peacefully meandering after the green bamboo groves of the countryside. The birds commence their journey, indicating the keen observation of Hữu Thỉnh, recognizing the migration of birds seeking refuge, a sign reminding us of the arrival of autumn. And those clouds become the highlight of the sky, creating an enchanting, fresh nature painting. The clouds seem to be squeezing themselves, as if holding a sentiment, full of warmth. They act as a bridge connecting summer and autumn, resonating with a unique rhythm of the land, the seasonal transition beat. Autumn returns in countless poetic renditions, yet in Hữu Thỉnh's verses, it remains immersive, captivating the hearts of people. To love nature deeply, Hữu Thỉnh depicts a truly beautiful and charming rural scene.
The final stanza encapsulates the poet's profound reflections on life:
'Still plenty of sunlight
Fading slowly the rain
Thunder is less surprising
On the age-old trees'.
Through deep insights into human existence, Hữu Thỉnh conveys meaningful messages. The imagery of 'sunlight, rain, thunder' symbolizes life's ups and downs. Having weathered many storms, the human spirit seems to become serene, calm in the face of life's challenges. As one matures, like the age-old trees, there is no longer the exuberance and recklessness of youth but a calm reflection and contemplation, facing life's challenges with resilience. Perhaps, this is the profound message that Hữu Thỉnh imparts.
With the poetic form of four words, flexible rhythm, natural and gentle tone, vivid and expressive language, Hữu Thỉnh has presented readers with a true, beautiful, and exquisite portrait of nature during the autumn. 'Sang Thu' by Hữu Thỉnh contributes a unique and captivating voice to the homeland's autumnal symphony, full of flavor and emotion.
3. Reflection on the poem 'Autumnal Melody,' model 3:
Among the four seasons of nature, everyone acknowledges that spring is the most beautiful season with its freshness and abundant vitality, becoming a major inspiration for poetry and art. However, autumn also possesses its unique beauty, inspiring creative minds. Previously, Nguyễn Khuyến had three autumn poems, the most famous being 'Autumn Tune,' 'Moist Autumn,' and 'Autumn Elegy.' Tản Đà wrote 'Autumn Sensation - Bidding Farewell to Autumn,' and later, Lưu Trọng Lư composed 'Autumn's Sound,' and Xuân Diệu penned 'Here Comes Autumn.' However, when it comes to the transitional period between seasons, 'Sang Thu' by poet Hữu Thỉnh stands out.
The poem 'Autumnal Melody' was composed in 1977, expressing the author's delicate perceptions of nature's changes and the vitality of creatures during the moments of seasonal transition.
Suddenly realizing the scent of ripe guavas
Wafting in the cool breeze
Mist drifting through the alley
As if autumn has arrived.
The poem begins with the word 'suddenly,' expressing surprise and a sudden perception from the olfactory sense, awakening the soul and evoking a very 'guava-scented' quatrain. The distinctive flavor of autumn unexpectedly touches the poet, not the fragrance of a flower but the ripe season of guavas, sounding rustic and familiar. The guava aroma doesn't just spread but also moves strongly in space, wafting into the cool autumn breeze. The northern autumn has started to cool, so the 'cool' autumn breeze intensifies the guava fragrance, spreading it into the earth, the sky, and the human soul. The poetic imagery of 'drifting mist' is personified, giving it a graceful, gentle appearance like a twenty-year-old maiden. The line 'as if autumn has arrived' encapsulates the poet's sudden, surprising emotions. All these signals lead to the question 'Has autumn arrived?' - bewildering and exclaiming, as autumn seems to have touched the land.
Reflections on the poem 'Autumn' by poet Hữu Thỉnh
The breath of autumn becomes more distinct. The presence of autumn is no longer vague but specific, tangible in nature and creatures. In a larger space, from the sky to the ground, everywhere is tinted with autumn scenery. The river flows gently, smoothly, soft and charming, not rushing like in summer. However, contrary to the leisurely flow of the river, the birds in the sky are in a hurry, preparing for a new journey as autumn approaches, with shorter days, longer nights, and the cool breeze blowing. Thus, the author's autumn is not only peaceful and leisurely but also hurried and bustling.
The artistic space of the painting 'Autumn's Arrival' unfolds in height, width of the brimful sky, and the length of the river in the next frame:
The river flows gently
Birds hastily commence
A cluster of summer clouds
Wringing themselves halfway into autumn
The dynamics of the transitional period are vividly depicted through the changing nuances of everything. It is the 'gentle' appearance of the water-filled river flowing leisurely, calmly, after the exhausting summer days of rushing and roaring. It is the 'hastily commencing' of migratory birds urgently preparing to escape the cold. The term 'hastily' contrasts beautifully with 'gentle.' They are just beginning to hurry, not yet in a rush. Therefore, the overall atmosphere remains tranquil, lingering, and slow-paced. Hence, the summer clouds leisurely, gracefully 'wring themselves halfway into autumn.' A creative and unique imagination, as if the clouds are carrying both seasons on their shoulders.
How much sunlight remains
The rain gradually subsides
Even thunder becomes less surprising
Among the standing old trees.
In this final stanza, the beauty of autumn is affirmed through reflection and experience rather than direct perception. The sun, rain, thunder, and lightning persist like in summer, but with a different intensity. The sun fades, no longer glaring and intense, and the rain lessens. The phrases 'still remains,' 'gradually subsides,' and 'also becomes less surprising' eloquently describe the phenomena, the events gradually settling into the stability of autumn. The poem concludes with the imagery of 'thunder' and 'standing old trees,' both depicting reality and carrying allegorical meanings, evoking profound contemplation. Autumn not only makes the trees appear older and more mature but also strengthens them against the natural challenges. The autumn leaves, tinged with sadness as they fade, still carry vibrant, abundant life. As autumn arrives, they prepare for their new role. The image of standing old trees and warmth conveys a deeper meaning, symbolizing human resilience in the face of external influences and life's unexpected events.
To sum up, 'Autumn's Arrival' is a splendid poem. The author avoids sentimental expressions and clichés, presenting delicate perceptions through natural and unique imagery. These images are placed within gentle movements, preserving the essence of nature, serene and tranquil. Through this, we witness the appreciation of a unique and expressive nature painting depicting the transitional period and a soul rich in emotions and love for nature by Huu Thinh.
4. Thoughts on the poem 'Autumn's Arrival,' model number 4:
The poet Huu Thinh, known as a military poet, reveals a refined and sensitive poetic soul, distinctly sensing the transitions of nature during the seasonal change in his poem 'Autumn's Arrival.'
To commence the poem, Huu Thinh evokes the familiar fragrance of autumn, unveiling a space filled with subtle, distinctive aromas:
'Suddenly, the scent of ripe guavas
Floats within the refreshing breeze
Mist hesitates through the alley
As if autumn has arrived'
The scent of ripe guavas, a sign that autumn is approaching. The poet uses the word 'suddenly' to initiate the poem, hinting at a bit of surprise, fascination, and unexpectedness. The distinctive fragrance of ripe fruits signals the imminent change of season. The wind will also bring a unique feature that only accompanies the arrival of autumn. The poet employs the phrase 'Mist hesitates through the alley,' creating both a unique association and a delicate perception. 'Hesitates' as if half wants to stay and half wants to go, an ambivalent attitude. The use of the term 'as if' in the final line conveys a clear perception of sight and smell, yet still hesitates to affirm, as if not entirely convinced that autumn has truly arrived. Perhaps the certainty is not absolute, but the signs, the signals of autumn, are here.
Thoughts on the poem 'Autumn's Arrival,' selected essays
The second verse expands on the spatial and object dimensions:
'The river flows leisurely
Birds begin to hurry
A gathering of summer clouds
Squeezing themselves into autumn'
Elements of the earth and sky keenly perceive the change, initiating a subtle transition. The imagery of the river 'flowing leisurely' suggests a desire to move forward yet also lingering in the memories of the past summer's swift currents. The 'leisurely' motion reflects a half-hearted wish to depart and a reluctance to let go of the swift flow of the past summer. The image of the birds 'hurrying' indicates their early concern for the approaching winter. The unique image in the lines 'A gathering of summer clouds/Squeezing themselves into autumn' is both novel and distinctive. This image evokes associations of a colorful silk ribbon, soft and smooth like the sky's fabric. It serves as a bridge, linking the two seasons, capturing the essence of the transition with subtle elegance. Huu Thinh, the poet, skillfully personifies the 'clouds' as if they were individuals with thoughtful and clever actions.
The concluding verse opens up to the author's insightful reflections:
'Still, how much sunlight remains
Fading the persistent rain
Thunder, too, less surprising now
Among the standing aged trees'
In the moments of seasonal transition, the weather undergoes a transformation. Sunlight persists but gentler than in summer, the brief summer rain showers have faded away gradually. The imagery of 'thunder less surprising now/among the standing aged trees' not only reflects the reality but also encapsulates the poet's life experience. 'Thunder' is used to symbolize life's difficulties and challenges. 'Standing aged trees' represent individuals with experiences. The poet extracts a profound lesson: as one matures, they become more resilient in the face of life's storms and challenges.
The poem is composed in the five-word verse form, employing simple and memorable language, creating a space that anticipates the unique flavors and colors of the upcoming autumn. With his keen perception, the author imparts deep life insights through accessible and memorable verses.
5. Thoughts on the poem 'Autumn Arrival', sample 5:
The moment of seasonal transition is perhaps the most beautiful moment in nature, sowing gentle vibrations in our hearts, making us feel harmonious and attuned. Just as we are still marveling at a Xuân Diệu's 'leaning against the door, looking far, lost in thought,' we encounter the exquisite and profound Hữu Thỉnh through a glimpse of 'Autumn Arrival.'
The poem captures the author's perceptions and subtle emotions, the lingering feelings before the beauty and miraculous transformation of nature during the seasonal transition. It's not the color of a 'fading dream' or the image of a 'bewildered yellow deer' but the familiar scent of ổi (plum) in the mother's garden that awakens the poet's most delicate senses:
Suddenly realizing the scent of ổi
Floating in the cool breeze,
The verse carries the warm flavor of early autumn in a small countryside. The first signal for the author to recognize autumn is the fragrance of 'ổi.' The rustic scent 'floats' in the breeze, permeating the air. The poet's sense of suddenness comes with an expected surprise. The verse not only describes but also evokes associations with the ripening yellow color, the fragrant aroma, the crisp, sweet, and tangy taste at the tip of the tongue of the plum in the village garden. Moreover, the autumn dew also carries a mood of tranquility, leisureliness, and the gentle mist spread over the village paths:
Mist gently drifts through the alleyway
As if autumn has arrived.
Reflections on the poem 'Autumn's Arrival,' sample 5
Autumn mist is personified, with the phrase 'gentle mist' portraying the poetic, slow steps of the autumn season. If in the first verse, the poet 'suddenly realizes' the unexpected and abrupt arrival of autumn, then after sensing the autumn mist, the autumn wind, the poet still marvels and wonders: As if autumn has arrived? The poet's soul captures the subtle, fragile changes of creatures in the moment of seasonal transition, as gentle and hesitant as the light footsteps of autumn.
The artistic space of the autumn painting expands, the initial hesitation swiftly fading away, making room for intense emotions in the vast autumnal landscape:
The river flows gently
Birds hastily take flight
The river, brimming with water, so it flows gently as if intentionally slowing down, the birds hastily fly south... The autumnal space is serene, harmonious, and filled with the flavor of poetry, especially in the image:
There are clouds of summer
Squeezing half of themselves into autumn
The verse helps us envision thin, light clouds, stretching like the graceful veil of a relaxed young woman, gently 'squeezing half of themselves into autumn.' The line has spatial shaping qualities but also conveys the movement of time: autumn begins to arrive, summer hasn't completely departed, the autumn season just begins, very light, very gentle, very dreamy, as if the entire earth is shivering in anticipation of donning new attire...
The third verse vividly expresses the spatial transformations and is also a glimpse of the poet's contemplation on the landscape, the earth, and the sky:
Still, how much sunlight remains
The rain gradually subsides
Thunder also becomes less surprising
On the rows of aged trees
It's still the sunlight, rain, thunder, and lightning of summer lingering around, but only as 'still remaining,' 'gradually subsiding,' 'also becoming less surprising' because autumn has arrived. The poetry suggests thoughts about people who, with age and experience, are less surprised and passive in the storms and vicissitudes of life. The author's reflections contribute to giving 'Sang thu' a profound meaning.
Beautiful poetic imagery, refined language, a gentle poetic tone, and the poignant, nostalgic emotions of the author during the seasonal transition have left an indelible mark in the hearts of many readers. Perhaps that's why, after reading 'Sang thu' by Huu Thinh, one feels a deeper affection for the earnest and warm autumn of the homeland.