Old Man by Edward Thomas (1914)
The poem explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time through the lens of a speaker reflecting on a particular herb known as Old Man or Lad's-love. The speaker expresses a complex relationship with the herb, acknowledging its presence in the garden alongside rosemary and lavender, yet revealing a disconnection from its essence. The speaker observes a child interacting with the bush, snipping its tips and engaging with it in a way that suggests innocence and a carefree attitude. This interaction evokes a sense of longing in the speaker, who contemplates the memories tied to the scent of the herb. The child’s actions symbolize a generational connection to nature, while the speaker grapples with the fading clarity of their own past. As the speaker attempts to recall their own memories associated with the bitter scent, they confront the elusiveness of recollection. The act of sniffing the herb becomes a futile search for meaning, as the speaker acknowledges the loss of specific memories tied to their childhood. The imagery of the garden, the path, and the bush serves as a backdrop for this introspection, highlighting the contrast between the vibrant life of the child and the speaker's sense of disconnection. Ultimately, the poem reflects on the bittersweet nature of memory, where certain scents and experiences evoke feelings of nostalgia, yet remain frustratingly out of reach. The speaker's journey through the landscape of their mind reveals a deep yearning for understanding and connection, underscoring the complexities of human experience and the passage of time.
By Edward Thomas · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature Writing · 396 words
First lines
Old Man, or Lad's-love -- in the name there's nothing To one that knows not Lad's-love, or Old Man, The hoar-green feathery herb, almost a tree, Growing with rosemary and lavender.
Even to one that knows it well, the names Half decorate, half perplex, the thing it is:
What this Textopian page supports
Old Man is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, dated 1914 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edward Thomas
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Nature Writing, Reflective Literature, Modernist Literature
- Length: 396 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices such as imagery and metaphor.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Writing — The text focuses on natural elements, particularly the herb and its associations with memory and nostalgia.
- Reflective Literature — The poem contemplates themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Solitude · Aging · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Reflection · Nostalgia · Memory · Loss · Isolation