Top 8 Best Analytical Essays on the Poem 'The First Leaf' (Literature 10)

A philosopher once said that there are three things that never return: words once spoken, time that passes, and lost love. We’ve all had moments in life that we knew would never return, leaving behind a melancholic feeling. Hoàng Nhuận Cầm’s poem 'The First Leaf' expresses this sense of longing perfectly.

The poem is a vivid and emotional reflection on school life, blending past and present. The poet, in the present, looks back on the past. The present moment feels blurred, almost forgotten, as the poet chooses to live in the emotions of youth—pure and innocent, filled with the pain of loss and the fleeting sound of summer insects.

It is a melancholic tune, a soft melody without a climax, but one that subtly seeps into the heart, evoking nostalgia, leaving the reader feeling lost in memories.

The verses by Hoàng Nhuận Cầm are not polished or ornate. They simply narrate, only occasionally illuminated by flashes of emotion—bursting feelings, the intensity of longing. Poetry is about emotion, and good poetry makes the reader forget the words themselves.

You see, everything is far behind. Yes, everything is gone—the school days, the first love. Time moves so gently, yet it forces 'childhood to leave in pride.' This 'pride' seems inevitable, something we cannot hold onto.

The poet never fully realizes the passage of time, thinking it moves slowly, only to realize how quickly it has passed. The image of 'Purple water lilies in the eyes' symbolizes the last burst of passion before the end of school life. It’s a desperate, clinging yearning.

'Everything is far behind'—this is not just addressed to a lover, but also to time and life itself. The poet reminisces about the final moments of school life, capturing fleeting, unique images like 'the schoolyard at night, with fallen leaves from the night’s tree.' Time and things are intertwined here. Poetry is a mysterious realm, often 'incomprehensible.' Sometimes we feel the beauty of a poem without fully understanding it. But there is something lingering—like a student’s melancholic gaze, or the sweet, bittersweet taste of a hidden fruit.

Perhaps it is these vague, unspoken things that stay etched in the poet’s memory:

'Do you remember? The school, the class, my name?' The poet speaks directly, yet anyone with a first love might ask themselves, 'Do you remember me as I remember you?' The unsaid secrets of first love continue to haunt us.

And as the poem concludes:

'I loved you, but you are far away.'

'The tree calls, waving its hand.'

'I miss you so much, but I only look back'
'And the first leaf on the school yard is no longer there.'

This evokes the feeling of 'First Love' by Thế Duy, 'I don't understand why love fades, like flowers at the edge of a lake fading with the autumn wind.' Indeed, the love was there, but the person is gone. The poet is left confused, 'I miss you so much, but I look back and you are gone.'

Everything happens mysteriously, filled with inevitable paradoxes. 'The First Leaf' here is a symbolic image—representing school days, first love, a lost time that still lingers, and even a different version of the poet—a version of 'me' that seems so far away.

The poem is relatively long, all stemming from the poet’s deep sense of longing for their school years. Then, one day in the rush of life, you stumble upon an old photo. Inevitably, you feel regret, knowing it is a natural part of life. And just like Hoàng Nhuận Cầm: 'The things of long ago, the things of past years! Such emotional turmoil, how can one forget.'

Each summer, when the flame trees set the sky ablaze with their red flowers and the sound of cicadas fills the air, awakening memories, I can't help but think of the rich, musical verses full of sound and color in the poem "The First Leaf" by Hoang Nhuan Cam – a poet who grew up during the resistance against the U.S. invasion, with a youthful soul full of love for life.

Perhaps "The First Leaf" is also the voice of all of us, a longing for a dreamy youth, the beginning of love that transcends time. The poem is deeply lyrical, looking back at the romantic dreams of youth. The artistic space and time in the poem are fragmented, with the poet's emotions illuminating fleeting moments. It is the sacred beauty of first love.

It recalls the mischievous playfulness of youth, the bittersweet nostalgia of leaving school and friends, and the sorrow of seeing a teacher’s hair turn gray. All of these emotions are pure and clear, like the first leaf on the schoolyard – full of affection, evoking an emotion that resonates deeply in the heart.

Hoang Nhuan Cam’s poetry is often described as innocent and pure, much like the soul of a young soldier who had just joined the army. The "quiet breathing of time" and the image of the purple water lily in the eyes of a nostalgic lover reflect the poet's heartfelt emotions.

The first two stanzas, according to the poet, were written quickly, almost as if he were recording a beautiful emotion that had unexpectedly blossomed in a moment of wistfulness: "Don’t you see? Everything is already far away / In the quiet breath of time…"

The summer is awakened by the "prophetic voice of the cicada", announcing the first sweet stirrings of love between young hearts. The imagery in the second stanza is thus pure and mesmerizing, depicting the poet's innocent and clear-eyed view of his last days in school.

The poem’s emotional journey reaches its peak in moments of deep longing and regret. Indeed, Hoang Nhuan Cam captures the spirit of youthful carefreeness, where the cicada’s song signals the inevitable departure, while the poet longs to express all his feelings, to cry, yet remains caught in the gentle nostalgia of the past.

The classroom is depicted as a dreamy, romantic place, where the green of memory lingers. This is different from other poems that dwell on the deep passion of school love: "Today, the flame flowers bloom brightly, but our love has drifted apart" (Nhat Tuan). The poet’s approach is to focus on the innocent, carefree feelings between the two lovers, with a hint of nonchalance.

The poet remembers the first moments after leaving school, while the girl keeps her memories in her heart for her mother. The poem merges friendships and deep affection, and the repetition of the phrase "the memory" emphasizes the poet’s sincere and affectionate feelings, as he bids farewell to the school, carrying with him bittersweet memories.

What makes "The First Leaf" stand out is how the poet captures conversations from the past, including playful references to the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, symbolizing classmates' innocent laughter and joy. These moments of innocent fun followed the poet into battle, and every time he thinks of them, he is filled with longing.

It is the poet's pure, sincere soul that enables him to write such beautiful verses that reflect a fairy tale-like past, where the red flame flowers and cicada songs echo in the memories of youth.

From the first leaf on the schoolyard to the moment of parting, where the cicadas announce the arrival of summer, there is a gap filled with memories. There is love between friends, longing for school, teachers, and mother – all present in the poet's sacred thoughts. The realization that he loved her just as she had left him, marks the beginning of a new journey for both, one where love for country intertwines with youthful love.

Though the first leaf is no longer on the schoolyard, it will forever live in the hearts of both, in their memories of youth and the precious moments that shape their lives. "The First Leaf" is a timeless poem with expressive imagery and musical qualities that resonate deeply with readers across generations. Hoang Nhuan Cam may have passed away, but his poem remains eternally green, reflecting the innocence of youth and the sounds of summer.

The first leaf represents the poet's inner emotions, a delicate nostalgia for the school days of poet Hoàng Nhuận Cầm. The journey back to the distant memories of childhood is painted vividly and emotionally. It reflects the deep, affectionate recollections of moments that can never return.

In the first two stanzas, the character “I” directly expresses a profound sense of regret for the fleeting beauty of youth: “Can’t you see? It’s all gone now.” This verse carries a deep sorrow about the time that has passed. Time is embodied as a person when it “breathes very softly.” The phrase “very softly” suggests the subtle, almost imperceptible passing of time. It seems that time is slipping away rapidly, leaving the character stunned. Once time has passed, it cannot be reclaimed.

The poem then introduces recurring images of school days: “purple water lilies,” “a bunch of red phoenix flowers,” “the sound of cicadas,” “the cicada itself.” For the poetic character, the image of the water lily evokes a particular sense of fascination: “The purple water lilies are so mesmerizing in the eyes.” This is followed by the nostalgic recollection of the red phoenix flowers, blooming as the school year nears its end. The moment is marked by the “prophetic cicada calls,” signaling the arrival of summer, the season of farewells to school. The personification of the cicada as a “prophetic fool, announcing what’s to come” emphasizes the sorrow of departure.

The longing for the school continues to deepen in the following three stanzas. The use of repetition and structural emphasis underscores the powerful emotions of the speaker. The classroom, infused with the poet’s sentiment, is described through personification: “the wistful green fades.” The term “wistful” effectively conveys the sorrow and nostalgia.

Memories of school life begin to surface vividly, so much so that they cannot be fully expressed. As the poem progresses, the sorrow of separation intensifies. “It’s over now” seems to symbolize the inevitable end of school days. The lines “I loved you, but now you’re gone / The maple tree waves goodbye forever” express the sorrow of parting. In conclusion, the speaker reveals a profound sense of regret and longing for the first memories of youth, especially the “first leaf on the schoolyard.”

Through skillful use of vivid language and unique literary devices, poet Hoàng Nhuận Cầm beautifully conveys the bittersweet emotions and longing for the innocent, joyful days of school. This poem, “The First Leaf,” is a perfect representation of both content and artistry.

In everyone’s mind, there are cherished memories of school days, and for Hoàng Nhuận Cầm, this is no different. He shares with readers his carefree, joyful school years through the poem 'The First Leaf'. Through this poem, he invites readers to step into those precious memories.

Throughout this journey of recollection, we encounter the inner reflections of a young soldier. He must lay down his pen, leave behind the chalkboard to heed the call of his country. It is at this moment that he departs from his dreamy world, his first love, and those vivid memories come alive in the poem 'The Last Leaf'. Each verse brings forth a flood of nostalgia and longing, representing not only romantic love but also memories of his beloved school.

Perhaps schoolboy love begins with friendship. These memories of camaraderie under the school’s roof create a bond impossible to forget. The poet is moved by moments like walking beneath the “bunch of red phoenix flowers” and the overwhelming “passion” of those moments of hesitation, those innocent first experiences. Such memories become indelible marks on the heart.

As summer arrives, with its buzzing cicadas, it signals the season of parting from school life. The sound of the cicada is not mournful but full of life and vitality. And for the poet, it stirs the emotions of his first love, evoking deep feelings of nostalgia.

The emotions in 'The First Leaf' are steeped in a longing so deep that it seems to reach a breaking point. “I loved you, but now you’re gone.” The pain of missing her is almost unspeakable, a deep, aching sadness. Even though distance and time have passed, the feeling lingers on, etched into the heart.

Through poignant lines, 'The Last Leaf' masterfully guides the reader through a series of emotional states. These are the feelings of first love, of regret and longing for the past, the beloved school, and the memories that time cannot erase. The poem touches everyone, evoking a sense of bittersweet emotion that is hard to forget.

Bielinski wrote: 'Beauty is an essential condition of art; without it, there is no art, and there cannot be art. This is a truth.' Artists are those who feel this more deeply than anyone else. In the process of exploring and creating the art of language, each writer's mission is to discover the beauty beneath the surface of life. Perhaps the true beauty is the purity of the soul, the innocence of student years as depicted in the poem 'The First Leaf' by Hoang Nhuan Cam.

Hoang Nhuan Cam was born in Hanoi. He is often called the poet of students because of his many poems that capture the memories of youth, love, and vibrant expressions. In addition to poetry, he also wrote film scripts and acted in films. He has published several famous poetry collections, such as 'Autumn Dice', 'Forever Waiting, You Finally Came'. The poem 'The First Leaf' evokes countless memories of carefree, joyful student days. At the time, the poet entered the autumn of life, yet still carried the hues of time, always haunted by the fading summers of youth.

There is a bittersweet feeling when hearing the cicada's cry. In the city, with rows of tamarind trees and hazy park afternoons, the long, hoarse sound of the cicadas reminds us that summer has arrived. The days of student life flood back, as if flipping through pages of an old diary, filled with the bright faces of friends. In the long memories, the pure gaze of youth shines through like a magical light – the gaze of students.

There is a hand reaching out to you: 'Look, the cicadas are back. Do you remember the poem from graduation day?' Yes, there is a poem that still resonates deeply even now. Back then, we cherished those verses that carried us through the delicate sleep of student life. The poems with the cicadas' sharp call, the first leaf, and the school, were all cherished moments, even for those who did not know who Hoang Nhuan Cam was. We could still admire him: surely the poet was once a mischievous student, and yet he captured such emotions in his poetry.

Throughout the poem, we find a heartfelt monologue of a young soldier. When he has to put down his pen and march forward, he is also bidding farewell to the blackboard, the classroom, to answer the call of his homeland. It marks the end of his youthful dreams and his first love. 'The First Leaf' resonates with so many readers, touching hearts with its deep and reflective tone, drawing readers into a love song. The memories of summer and student life are full in the poet's mind, bringing forth a deep yearning for the past. In reading these verses, we feel a sense of sorrow and nostalgia. Because 'she' is the first love, and she is the inspiration throughout the poem. It also symbolizes the beautiful youth, quiet and simple, yet profound.

The memories in 'The First Leaf' come flooding back, page after page. As we read on, we sense the poet’s emotions. It’s not just about young love, but also the school years filled with countless memories. That’s why the poet gave the poem the name 'Goodbye, My School!'

'Do you see? It’s all gone now.'

'In the soft breath of time,'

'Childhood passed away with such pride,'

'The purple water lilies now in my eyes.'

Perhaps first love in student life is always born from friendship. These are the memories tied to school, with all its joy and warmth. These memories bring the poet a sense of longing. It's the feeling of walking beneath the blooming red phoenix flowers, those first moments that everyone remembers. These memories are indelible marks on each person's heart.

Summer would never be complete without the sounds of the cicadas. It’s the unique sound of summer, but also the season of farewell for innocent, carefree students. The cicadas’ calls are not like the sorrowful tunes of an elegy. They are full of vitality and freshness. The poet reflects on his first love and the passing seasons, evoking nostalgia for the past.

'The beloved phoenix cluster slips away,'

'The cicadas’ clear cries tear the stillness of the lake,'

'The careless cicada foretells,'

'Perhaps someone is about to fall in love.'

This feeling is love—first love, full of passion and youth. It encompasses friendship, love, and human connection. It's hard to name the source of this feeling. It’s something that, once gone, cannot return, like the uncatchable stream. The poem’s images linger, touching memories of childhood, staying forever in the heart.

The poet’s confessions are filled with longing and deep nostalgia, reminding us of the memories of school life. Those classrooms filled with connections to teachers, friends, blackboards, and schoolyards. Those moments were full of joy, innocence, and purity. Every time we recall them, emotions well up in our hearts.

'I wish I could say so much, cry so much,'

'The first song I sing will be for my old school,'

'A classroom, a green sky,'

'The schoolyard at night—falling tamarind fruits.'

'My first love, I remember you.'

'The memory in my heart, I remember you, my mother.'

'I remember in a way no one else can.'

'Do you remember the school, the classroom, my name?'

Or:

'There’s a Snow White, oh friends,'

'And seven little mischievous dwarfs!'

This stanza illustrates the lively atmosphere of the classroom. The 'Snow White' is the teacher, and the 'mischievous dwarfs' are the playful students. Laughter fills the air, bringing joy to both teacher and students. It dispels the tension in the classroom, reinforcing the saying 'The first trickster is a student.'

Student life is the most memorable time in one’s life. This poem captures the emotions of remembering carefree days of going to school, learning, and playing with friends and teachers. The innocence of student life is priceless, full of memories:

'Those old stories, those bygone days,'

'Stirring emotions, making hearts race,'

'The mimosas bloom, then the phoenix flowers burn,'

'On the teacher’s forehead, his hair turns gray.'

These verses express the poet’s emotions and the feelings of generations of students when recalling their school memories. The poet reflects on 'those old stories' with tenderness, where the changing seasons remind him of the teachers who nurtured his knowledge. It is a tribute to the teachers, the heroes of their student years.

'No more time for braided white hair,'

'No more time for carving the desks with knives,'

'The fruit ripens on the papaya tree,'

'Flowers turn yellow, oh my cucumbers.'

These feelings, contained in 'The First Leaf,' are deeply sentimental. It’s a nostalgic longing, as though the memories have reached a peak, and the emotions are more poignant than ever.

The final stanza was written after April 30, 1975, when the country was unified. Hoang Nhuan Cam returned to the Faculty of Literature at Hanoi University, continuing his student life. Standing quietly in the schoolyard, he realized that all his youth had been left behind in the burning forests of war. Now, before him, stood the next generation. He whispered:

'You loved me, but now I am gone,'

'The tamarind tree waves its hands farewell,'

'I long to turn around, but I cannot see,'

'The first leaf on the schoolyard.'

The 'first leaf' symbolizes the beautiful time of youth—first love, school days full of innocence and dreams.

This memory represents the cherished moments of student life. It is a powerful, unspeakable emotion. When reading these verses, we sense a quiet ache. This is the memory of the first love, and also of the school, the teachers, and the friends. These years are forever etched in the heart. For Hoang Nhuan Cam, every leaf is the first leaf, and every love is the thrilling, trembling first love. This poem reminds us of the song 'The First Love' by Thế Duy, where love fades like autumn leaves, but the memories remain indelible in the heart.

'Poetry is the faithful secretary of the heart' (Duybralay). Indeed, Hoang Nhuan Cam’s poetry speaks volumes with few words. 'The First Leaf' is just one of his many poignant poems. Even though the poet has passed away, his words will live on in the hearts of future generations of readers.

The poem 'The First Leaf' evokes countless memories of youthful, carefree school days. It brings to mind the poet’s entry into the autumn of life, yet still carries the colors of time. The poem reflects the nostalgia for the past summer days, with emotions that stir the heart and carry us along. Let's explore it together!

Throughout the poem, the soldier's inner monologue shines through. As he puts down his pen, he is also saying goodbye to the chalk and blackboard, answering the call of the homeland. It marks the moment he leaves behind the world of dreams and his first love, just as the poem 'The Last Leaf' touches the hearts of many readers. The verses resonate deeply, like a love song that never fades.

Memories of the summer and youthful days flood the poet's mind. A sense of longing surfaces, and he finds solace in revisiting the past. As we read these verses, a feeling of melancholy overcomes us. The 'you' in the poem represents the first love, and it is this theme that ties the poem together, highlighting a beautiful, quiet youth, not loud but profound.

The memories in 'The Last Leaf' appear vividly, filling every page. As we read on, we can feel the poet's emotions. It's a tale of love, but also of the school, of the past that remains with the poet. Perhaps this is why the poem is titled 'Goodbye, School'.

Can you feel it? Everything is now distant.

In the quiet breath of time, it is barely heard.

Your childhood left with such pride,

As purple lotus flowers shimmer in eyes full of yearning.

The first love often begins with friendship. It is the time spent under the beloved school roof, the joy that fills every moment. Those memories make the poet feel bittersweet nostalgia. It’s the feeling of walking alongside the red flame trees, the heart racing in the early stages of love. These memories leave a mark on the heart, never to be forgotten.

The summer would not be complete without the sound of cicadas, the quintessential sound of summer, signaling the end of carefree school days. The cicada’s song is not a melancholy melody but one full of vigor. Even the poet cannot help but feel moved as he reflects on these past moments.

The cherished flame tree blossoms slip from my hand,

The clear sound of cicadas cuts through the lake,

The mindless cicada foretells the future,

Perhaps someone, too, is beginning to love.

This feeling is pure and innocent, a first love filled with yearning. It carries friendship, love, and human connection. It's hard to label this emotional state; it's fleeting, like a moment that can never be relived. These images stir memories of youth, lingering long after the poem ends.

The emotions in the first leaf are tender and intimate. It’s a memory so deep it seems to touch the very core of one’s being, bringing the past into sharp focus.

I loved you, yet you are now far away,

The sycamore tree forever extends its hand,

I'm filled with longing, yet when I turn around,

I can no longer find that first leaf on the school grounds.

This longing is a yearning for the beloved memories of school days. Around it, emotions overflow, hard to put into words. Reading these lines, one feels the tenderness of remembrance. It’s the longing for first love, for mothers, for school, for friends. Those years remain etched in the heart forever. For Hoang Nhuan Cam, every leaf is the first leaf, and every love is forever that anxious, innocent first love.