Nostalgia

Nostalgia can be defined as a sentimental longing for the past characterized by a wistful affection for a particular time, place, or experience that holds positive associations. While usually cast in a negative light, nostalgia has been shown to promote feelings of social connection, optimism and motivation. In the poem “September Tomatoes,” the speaker’s nostalgia colors the tone and seems to create a somber atmosphere. The changing seasons and decaying tomato plants contribute to the speaker’s regret and sadness. However, the tone shifts in the final stanza as the speaker considers a larger, time-honored process of change. Overall, the speaker’s nostalgia helps her connect to nature, other humans, and change itself.

The poem opens with images of decay. In the first stanza, the speaker portrays the pungent odor of rotting fruit, comparing it to whiskey. When she touches the overripe tomatoes, clouds of...