As imperceptibly as Grief
The Summer lapsed away —
Too imperceptible, at last
To seem like Perfidy —
The poet compares the passing of Summer to Autumn to the gradual, subtle way in which grief transitions from the initial sharp pain of loss towards acceptance and resignation. The seasonal change from Summer to Autumn is also symbolic of inner change for the poet. 
 The interest of the reader is stimulated by the opening sentence beginning with the subordinate clause, with the main clause coming in line two. This creates tension. The five syllable word, ‘imperceptably’ immediately establishes an uneasy rhythm. 
 The capitalised abstract noun ‘Grief’ is the first of many that appear in the poem. These lift the meaning from the particular to the universal. Grief represents the personal feelings of the poet, and also the universality of loss.
As Imperceptibly as Grief