Winter Nightfall-Robert Bridges

WINTER NIGHTFALL

The day begins to droop-

It's course is done:

But nothing tells the place

Of the setting sun.

The hazy darkness deepens,

And up the lane

You may hear, but cannot see,

The homing wain.

An engine pants and hums

In the farm hard by :

It's lowering smoke is lost

In the lowering sky.

The soaking branches drip,

And all night through

The dropping will not cease

In the avenue.

ROBERT BRIDGES

Summary: 'Winter Nightfall' by Robert Bridges is a brief but evocative poem that encapsulates the transition from day to night on a winter evening. The poem commences by acknowledging the warning of daylight, with the course of the day complete and no discernible sign of the setting sun. It emphasizes the subtlety of this transformation, marked by a lack of conspicuous landmarks.

As darkness descends, the poem shifts its focus to the auditory and visual elements of the rural landscape. The quiet, rural environment is brought to life by the distant sounds of a homing wain, hidden from view by the darkening surroundings. In addition, there's the distant hum of an engine in a nearby farm, its exhaust vanishing into the descending night sky.

The poem's final stanza concentrates on the continuous, almost meditative sound of water droplets falling from the soaked branches in the avenue. This underscores the tranquil, contemplative, and possibly melancholic ambiance of the winter nightfall.

Overall, 'Winter Nightfall' masterfully portrays the subtle passage from day to night in a rural backdrop, highlighting the serene, unassuming charm of this transition. The poem beckons readers to immerse themselves in the tranquility and atmosphere of a winter evening, offering a vivid snapshot of the seasonal change.