The View from an Attic Window By Howard Nemerov - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

1
Among the high-branching, leafless boughs
Above the roof-peaks of the town,
Snowflakes unnumberably come down.
I watched out of the attic window
The laced sway of family trees,
Intricate genealogies
Whose strict, reserved gentility,
Trembling, impossible to bow,
Received the appalling fall of snow.
All during Sunday afternoon,
Not storming, but befittingly,
Out of a still, grey, devout sky,
The snowflakes fell, until all shapes
Went under, and thickening, drunken lines
Cobwebbed the sleep of solemn pines.
Up in the attic, among many things
Inherited and out of style,
I cried, then fell asleep awhile,
Waking at night now, as the snow-
flakes from darkness to darkness go
Past yellow lights in the street below.
2
I cried because life is hopeless and beautiful.
And like a child I cried myself to sleep
High in the head of the house, feeling the hull
Beneath me pitch and roll among the steep
Mountains and valleys of the many years
That brought me to tears.
Down in the cellar, furnace and washing machine,
Pump, fuse-box, water heater, work their hearts
Out at my life, which narrowly runs between
Them and this cemetery of spare parts
For discontinued men, whose hats and canes
Are my rich remains.
And women, their portraits and wedding gowns
Stacked in the corners, brooding in wooden trunks;
And children’s rattles, books about lions and clowns;
And headless, hanging dresses swayed like drunks
Whenever a living footstep shakes the floor;
I mention no more;
But what I thought today, that made me cry,
Is this, that we live in two kinds of thing:
The powerful trees, thrusting into the sky
Their black patience, are one, and that branching
Relation teaches how we endure and grow;
The other is the snow,
Falling in a white chaos from the sky,
As many as the sands of all the seas,
As all the men who died or who will die,
As stars in heaven, as leaves of all the trees;
As Abraham was promised of his seed;
Generations bleed,
Till I, high in the tower of my time
Among familiar ruins, began to cry
For accident, sickness, justice, war and crime,
Because all died, because I had to die.
The snow fell, the trees stood, the promise kept,
And a child I slept.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem

This poignant poem explores themes of life, death, memory, and endurance through vivid natural imagery and personal reflection. The poet uses the metaphor of snow falling gently on leafless trees to symbolize the passage of time and the inevitability of mortality. The "family trees" represent generations of ancestors and the complex web of human relationships, while the snowflakes symbolize both the countless lives lost and the fragile beauty of existence.

The first stanza paints a serene yet somber winter scene, where snowflakes quietly cover the town and trees, muffling the world in white. The speaker watches from an attic window, observing the "intricate genealogies" of family trees that stand with dignified patience despite the harshness of the snow. This imagery evokes a sense of heritage and endurance, suggesting that despite the "appalling fall" of snow—symbolic of hardship or death—life continues.

In the second stanza, the speaker reveals a deep emotional response: crying because life is both hopeless and beautiful. The attic becomes a metaphorical vantage point, high above the "mountains and valleys" of past years, reflecting on memories and the passage of time. The poem contrasts the mechanical, mundane world downstairs—the furnace, washing machine, and other appliances—with the rich, emotional history stored in portraits, wedding gowns, and children's toys. These relics symbolize the continuity of life and the presence of those who came before.

The poet concludes with a profound meditation on two kinds of existence: the enduring trees that teach patience and growth, and the chaotic, countless snowflakes representing human mortality. The poem acknowledges the inevitability of death caused by "accident, sickness, justice, war and crime," yet finds solace in the promise of life’s continuation—"The snow fell, the trees stood, the promise kept." The final line, "And a child I slept," suggests a return to innocence or peace after this emotional reckoning.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem is reflective of a style often found in modern and contemporary poetry, where personal memory and nature imagery intertwine to explore universal themes. The author, whose identity is not specified here, likely draws from personal experience and a deep contemplation of family history and mortality. The attic setting and the detailed descriptions of household items hint at a nostalgic look back at the past, common in poetry that seeks to reconcile loss and memory.

The poem’s tone is contemplative and melancholic but also tender and hopeful. It invites readers to consider their own place within the vast continuum of life and death, encouraging a respectful acknowledgment of both.

Educational Value and Learning Points

Students and children can learn several important lessons from this poem:

• Appreciation of Nature and Metaphor: The poem uses natural elements—trees and snow—as metaphors for human life and endurance. Understanding these symbols can deepen students' appreciation for poetic devices.
• Reflection on Life and Mortality: The poem introduces complex themes like death and memory in a gentle, accessible way, encouraging emotional intelligence and empathy.
• Family and Heritage: The "family trees" metaphor helps learners understand genealogical connections and the importance of ancestry.
• Emotional Expression: The speaker’s crying and sleeping symbolize the human need to process grief and find peace, teaching children that emotions are natural and important.

Practical Applications in Life and Learning

• Creative Writing: Students can be inspired to write their own poems or stories using nature metaphors to express feelings.
• History and Genealogy Projects: The poem can be a starting point for students to explore their own family histories.
• Emotional Literacy: Teachers can use the poem to discuss feelings of sadness, hope, and resilience, helping children articulate their emotions.
• Art and Visualization: Students might draw or paint scenes inspired by the poem’s imagery, reinforcing comprehension through creative expression.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What do the "family trees" symbolize in the poem?
2. How does the poet describe the snowflakes, and what might they represent?
3. Why does the speaker cry in the attic?
4. What contrast does the poem draw between the attic and the cellar?
5. What are the "two kinds of thing" the speaker refers to?
6. How does the poem end, and what feeling does the last line convey?

Answers

1. The "family trees" symbolize the speaker’s ancestors and the complex relationships and heritage passed down through generations.
2. The snowflakes are described as falling "unnumberably" and in "white chaos," representing both the countless lives lost and the fragile beauty of life.
3. The speaker cries because life is both hopeless and beautiful, overwhelmed by memories and the inevitability of death.
4. The attic represents memory, heritage, and emotional reflection, while the cellar symbolizes the mundane, mechanical aspects of life and the remnants of past lives.
5. The "two kinds of thing" are the enduring trees, symbolizing patience and growth, and the snowflakes, symbolizing mortality and chaos.
6. The poem ends with the snow continuing to fall, the trees standing firm, and the speaker sleeping like a child—conveying a sense of peace, acceptance, and renewal.

This poem offers a rich exploration of human experience through vivid imagery and emotional depth, making it a valuable resource for learners to engage with literature, history, and personal growth.