In the first stanza, Snyder describes the natural world in winter, and he notes that the trees are "stripped and / black-limbed." He also notes that the "year has turned" and that there is now "white snow / on the ground." In the second stanza, Snyder reflects on the passage of time, and he notes that "the old year is dying" and that the "new year is coming." He also notes that the "sun is shining" and that the "birds are singing." In the third stanza, Snyder describes the natural world in spring, and he notes that the "trees are budding" and that the "flowers are blooming." He also notes that the "birds are building nests" and that the "animals are giving birth." In the fourth stanza, Snyder concludes the poem by reflecting on the natural world and the passage of time, and he notes that "the cycle is complete" and that "all is well."
The poem "This Year" is a powerful meditation on the natural world and the passage of time, and it reflects Snyder's interest in Buddhism and Zen thought. The poem is written in free verse, and it is divided into four stanzas. Each stanza describes a different season, and the poem as a whole reflects Snyder's belief in the cyclical nature of life.