Seasons of Life (Symbols)

The point made implicit in this poems was how different the same part of a year can be when experience has soured it. Viewing the bright blossoms and heavy bows of spring can be renewing and lovely one May, and oppressive and gaudy the next. The widow of "The Widows Lament in Springtime" experiences this difference bitterly in the loss of her husband. All the natural features usually used to characterize spring are used as symbols to explain the contrast the widow experiences over her loss.

First, the new grass apparently inflames the widow. But not the flame of passion. The cold flame of passion dead, love gone. 

"The" plum tree is heavy with "masses with flowers". The usage of the word 'the' indicates that there is only one tree in the yard. One tree that has been through many springs, springs were around when the widows husband was. The flowers, light, bright blossoms, are heavy. Oppressively heavy. 

The meadows and woods that held attractions in an earlier time are the happiness of years previous. But around every meadow is a marsh to sink into.

The copious symbols in the poem about the new widow and the new year blooms comparisons between the seasons of the year and seasons of life.