What will they do? by Edward Thomas
The poem explores themes of existence, connection, and the transient nature of life. The speaker reflects on their own mortality and the indifference of the world to their absence. They ponder the relationship between themselves and others, likening it to the relationship between rain and flowers. The speaker feels insignificant, observing people pass by without recognition or acknowledgment. As the poem progresses, the speaker contemplates the deeper connections that may exist beneath the surface. They question whether their presence has contributed to the lives of others in a meaningful way, suggesting that there is intrinsic value in these connections that may not be immediately apparent. The imagery of rain and flowers symbolizes the interdependence of life, where one cannot thrive without the other. The speaker's thoughts shift to a moment of realization, where they consider the possibility that their existence nourishes others in ways they do not fully understand. This leads to a sense of longing for recognition and a desire to be valued. The poem concludes with a moment of lightness, as the speaker recalls a fleeting interaction that hints at the potential for connection and understanding, even in the face of inevitable separation. Overall, the work encapsulates the tension between individual significance and the broader, often indifferent, world, while also hinting at the profound connections that can exist between people, even if they are not always acknowledged.
By Edward Thomas · First published 1909 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Philosophical · 111 words
First lines
What will they do when I am gone? It is plain That they will do without me as the rain Can do without the flowers and the grass That profit by it and must perish without.
I have but seen them in the loud street pass;
And I was naught to them. I turned about To see them disappearing carelessly.
But what if I in them as they in me Nourished what has great value and no price?
What this Textopian page supports
What will they do? is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Philosophical, Nature, Romanticism
- Length: 111 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- Low Tide by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Evening by Emily Dickinson
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- Misgiving by Robert Frost
- Finale by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices such as imagery and metaphor.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on existence and relationships.
- Philosophical — The themes explore existential questions about value, existence, and the nature of relationships.
- Nature — Nature imagery is prevalent, particularly in the references to rain, flowers, and grass.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Human Condition · Life's Purpose · Uncertainty · Fear of the Unknown · Loss · Grief · Regret