Snow
Snow is a symbol of purity but also reveals the cold harshness of winter in the oems of Charles Simic. In 'Against Winter, 'the first snow flake,' is a sign of the approaching season and reveals the madness of 'Charlie,' standing outsde during inclement weather. In 'Heights Of Folly,' however, it is clear that 'a patch of last night's snow,' contrasts with a 'breakfast,' of 'slices of watermelon, something normally associated with summer and warmth. This symbol shows spontanuity as a theme within this poem, which may seem silly and fleeting to some, but really gives pleasure and enjoyment through situations that may otherwise be hostile or hard to deal with.
Within, 'Secret History,' the 'silence of falling snow,' creates a gentle image symbolising the quiet nature of history secretly and discreetly recoreded for the future, making it feel special, unique and real. The softness of the snow reveals the delicate nature of preserving such an art form as history within todays society tht may melt it otherwise in the heat of their gossip and universe of alternative facts.
Clocks/Time
In Simic's poem, 'Autumn Sky,' the speaker asks Cynthia to, 'Take a clock that has lost its hands / For a ride.' This handless clock represents a desire to be outside time,at 'Hotel Eternity.' The representation of living outside of life, of eternity and of freedom is continuously represented throughout Simic's poems through the motif of a clock with no hands, for example in, 'The School of Metaphysics.'
In this particular poem, time takes a prevalent role as a symbol of the jump between life as it is known to us, and death. Time seems to be absent from the speaker's life, as 'The clock on the church tower had stopped,' denoting perhaps the time of change, and the 'wristwatch,' of theshady person that follows the speaker has 'Gothic numerals,' yet an,' absence of hands,' just as the clock in 'Autumn Sky.'
The desire to be outside of time in the latter contrasts the sudden finding of one's self in a world without time, when it is too late. Both poems use time and the clock without hands a symbol for something more poignant and noteworthy. In 'Autumn Sky,' it represents freedom and the need to enjoy every moment without concentrating on or focussing on time passing by, whilst, 'The School of Metaphysics,' reveals the necessity of appreciating the time that is left in ones life and preparing by listening and giving time for others.
The Ant
In the poem, 'This Morning,' the ant is a motif for many things, mainly diligence and companionship, as well as strength of character. It is describe as enforcing its own way into the speaker's house, creating its own path, and the adjective, 'hard-working,' implies self-sufficiency , indicating a need to avoid sloth and laziness. The ant, known as, 'Mr. Ant,' to the speaker is formally addressed to show the importance of friendship and listening and the effects of lonliness on a person. As the speaker reflects, 'You visit the same tailors the mourners do,' the cautious and discerning nature of the ant and its respectability in reading situations is used to symbolise care and empathy in certain situations, and the need to discern and follow the movement of a situaton. The 'quiet,' and 'holy state,' that is 'silence between,' the ant and the speaker represents an unspoken bod, showing the importance of purely listening and being present, and how this can mean just as much as talking and giving advice.
Another poem penned by Charles Simic that encorporates the image of the ant as a significant symbol to the reader is, 'The Supreme Moment.' Here, the ant is presented as, 'powerless,' a negtive adjective, when faced by 'a raised boot.' As there isn't much time, the ant must think on its feet, and its reflection can be seen, 'distorted,' in the boot's reflection. This represents brains versus braun in a situation where one's usual method, perhaps strength as in the ant's case, must be switched out in order to survive. The ant is a symbol of self-reflection, adaptation and determination in this case.
Rain
'This Morning,' also contains rain as a symbol for emotion and response. When the speaker thinks he hears, 'Estella in the garden singing / And some bird answering her,' and then discovers, 'it was the rain,' expressing his disappointment by echoing the rhythmic pattern of the rain through monosyllabic words. The rain here is a signal showing deep reflection on loss and what has been lost, bringing memories with it.
Later in this same poem, the rain seems to understand and recognise a need for silence, as she falls, being personified and identified as female, perhaps to emphasise the female love lost or become a maternal comfort. She falls, 'as if with eyes closed / Muting each drop in her wild-beating heart.' The adjective, 'wild-beating,' gives the rain life, whilst the conscious effort for stillness and rhythm depicts sympathy and empathy for the speaker. Perhaps the rain is a gentle reminder of tenderness and approachibilty when faced with a longing and lonely person. Sometimes it is necessary to put the needs of others above your own requirements and desires, another fact the rain symbolises here.
Zero
The number zero has many meanings within Simic's poems, but each time it symbolises somethin surrounding wealth or socialisation. In 'To The One Upstairs,' the speaker invites their boss to, 'Go ahead, shuffle your zeroes tonight.' This is almost a dare, prompting the superior and richer managers to flash their money, power and skill through gambling and buying pricey things. The symbol of multiple zeroes signifies the numbers on the cheques and their significant bank balances.
This depiction of zero as a motif within this poem here contrasts with its presentation as 'zilch,' in the second stanza. The bosses are described as having,' zilch in your in-tray, zilch / In your out-tray,' which seems to contrast their figures in money. This poem uses the symbol of zeroes to reveal the discrepancies in power relations and hierarchies within employment, and the injustice served when money is involved.
In the poem, 'Autumn Sky,' it is said, 'There are tasty little zeroes / In the peanut dish tonight.' It is not completely clear what this means, but by considering Simic's use of zero as a motif in 'To The One Upstairs,' perhaps a conclusion may be drawn to interpret its meaning within tis context. As the sky invites people in to, 'dark corners,' these zeroes may represent shady business for profit, or bribery, as those involved snack on their earnings. Either that or nothingness is shown through the number zero, challenging poverty or the change seen in Autumn, that prompts hardships when it comes to finances.
