I vex me not with brooding on the years
Thomas Bailey Aldrich's poem "I Vex Me Not With Brooding On The Years" is a reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker expresses his acceptance of the fact that life is fleeting and that he will not be able to hold onto it forever. He states that he will not waste his time worrying about the years that have passed, but instead will focus on living in the present and making the most of the time he has left. The poem ends with the speaker declaring that he will not be afraid of death, but will instead embrace it as a part of life.
By Thomas Bailey Aldrich · First published 1880 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophy · 95 words
First lines
That were ere I drew breath: why should I then
Distrust the darkness that may fall again
When life is done? Perchance in other spheres--
Dead planets--I once tasted mortal tears,
What this Textopian page supports
I vex me not with brooding on the years is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, dated 1880 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Bailey Aldrich
- Date: 1880 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophy, Literary Fiction
- Length: 95 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for I vex me not with brooding on the years by Thomas Bailey Aldrich
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Tavern Of Last Times At Box Hill Surrey by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- I Know Not How But As I Count by Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Old Men by Rudyard Kipling
- After Many Years by Frederick William Mole
- An Idyll Of Old Age by Robert Graves
- Twenty Years Ago by D. H. Lawrence
Genres
- Poetry — The title of the book is a line from a poem by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, suggesting that the book is likely to be a collection of his poetry.
- Romanticism — The title of the book suggests a focus on emotions and nostalgia, which are common themes in Romanticism.
- Philosophy — The title of the book suggests a focus on introspection and contemplation, which are common themes in philosophy.
- Literary Fiction — The book is written by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, a renowned literary figure, suggesting that the book is likely to be a work of literary fiction.
Tags
reflection · nostalgia · time · memory · self-examination · philosophy · existentialism · regret · life experiences · introspection · poetry · human condition