Youth by Georgia Douglas Johnson
The poem explores the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitable passage of time. It begins with vivid imagery of nature, highlighting the beauty and vitality of youth through elements like dew on grass and the blush of a rose. This imagery serves as a metaphor for the freshness and vibrancy of young life. As the poem progresses, the notion of time is introduced with the phrase "swift across our dial-youth," suggesting that youth is transient and quickly passing. The "shifting shadow" symbolizes the encroaching reality of aging and the loss of youthful innocence. The speaker reflects on the ephemeral moments of happiness, described as "primrose moments," which are rich yet fleeting, emphasizing the bittersweet quality of youth. The poem concludes with a poignant realization that while life may continue to renew itself, the specific joys and experiences of youth cannot be reclaimed once they are lost. The contrast between the renewal of life in autumn and the irretrievability of youth in May underscores the theme of nostalgia and the acceptance of life's cyclical nature. The overall tone is reflective, capturing both the beauty and the sorrow of growing older.
By Georgia Douglas Johnson · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism · 70 words
First lines
The dew is on the grasses, dear, The blush is on the rose, And swift across our dial-youth, A shifting shadow goes.
The primrose moments, lush with bliss, Exhale and fade away, Life may renew the
Autumn time, But nevermore the May!
What this Textopian page supports
Youth is listed on Textopian as a poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism, Nature, Philosophical
- Length: 70 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
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Similar titles
- Inland by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Have You Got A Brook In Your Little Heart by Emily Dickinson
- Youth by Madison Cawein
- At The Grave Of Heine by Olive Tilford Dargan
- Decay by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Epilogue by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing poetic devices and structure.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on youth and the passage of time.
- Romanticism — Themes of beauty, nature, and the fleeting nature of youth align with Romantic ideals.
- Nature — The imagery of dew, grasses, and roses emphasizes a connection to the natural world.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Symbolism · Imagery · Nature · Youth · Coming of Age · Identity · Social Commentary · Racial Tensions · Family Dynamics · Love