The Speaker

Speakers do not necessarily equate to the poet, though they can convey a sentiment or experience belonging to the poet. For that reason, this guide refers to the speaker in "Yes, That's When" using gender-neutral language. The speaker enjoys the depersonalization that occurs when they walk in the woods. The speaker assimilates into the forest by merging with all the other entities that exist there. This is not a forced assimilation, but rather a willing surrender. The awe and joy that this inspires imbues the speaker with well being.

The Woods

The woods are portrayed as a dynamic complex system composed of numerous living and non-living entities (depending on one's perspective). Aspen, mountain, river, stone, leaf, path, flower, evergreen, current, berry, mushroom, avalanche, cliff, wild iris, duff, waterfall, dew, and the speaker all integrate to form a cohesive whole. This whole cannot be understood by the sum...