Tape for the Turn of the Year by A. R. Ammons

A. R. Ammons' "Tape for the Turn of the Year" is a collection of poems written from a unique perspective: Ammons’ own personal reflections. This unique perspective ties the poems together to create a collection that is reflective and soulful.

The poems in "Tape for the Turn of the Year" explore the topics of nature, religion, family, relationships, and life. Ammons reminds us that these topics are all connected. For example, in the poem “8/3”, he links nature to the passing of time in a beautiful way. The speaker in the poem wanders along a riverbank, watching time pass and nature’s cycle change in response. In the poem “Home on the Street”, he writes of his childhood home and how it has changed with time, reminding us that our memories of life do not stay the same.

The collection touches on the idea of duality; mankind simultaneously holds both the good and the bad in life. In “Axiom” Ammons writes about the choices of life, “Axiom: maturity means creating choices / without necessity.” He shows how life is made up of decisions made from both our successes and our sorrows.

Ammons also uses rich imagery and symbolism to express his thoughts and ideas in “Tape for the Turn of the Year”. The imagery creates a powerful and vivid portrait of both landscape and emotions. Ammons uses natural images to express ideas such as in the poem “Alter”, where he writes of “light striking the summergrass”, evoking the feeling of summer and the passing of time. In “Strongly”, he uses the image of a storm and a snowdrift to express feelings of loneliness and despair.

The collection has a sobering effect on the reader, but ultimately ends on a hopeful and peaceful note. In “Finale”, Ammons writes of a family’s world of memories, expressing nostalgia and longing for the past. It is a powerful reminder that although life is full of trials and tribulations, it is possible to find peace within oneself.

A. R. Ammons' "Tape for the Turn of the Year" is a beautiful and thought-provoking collection of poems. It allows us to explore meaningful topics such as nature, religion, family, relationships, and life with a unique and lyrical style. Through vivid imagery and profound symbolism, Ammons creates a powerful and reflective portrait of life. He reminds us in the end to find peace within ourselves, regardless of our past hardships. This collection is a must-read for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of life.