To Wish myself Courage
The poem reflects on the passage of time and the inevitable loss of youth. The speaker contemplates their future self, envisioning a time when they will no longer possess the vitality of youth. They express a desire to create art that captures the essence of nature, specifically leaves and the moon, as symbols of beauty and transience. The act of writing is portrayed as a struggle against the constraints of aging, suggesting that creativity is an ongoing process that evolves over time. The speaker acknowledges the tension between their current state and the longing for a more profound expression of their experiences. They believe that the act of writing now is merely a distraction from the deeper, more significant work that awaits them. The imagery of spring and the old moon signifies the cyclical nature of life, where youth is fleeting, and the remnants of it—like leaves on the ground—serve as reminders of what once was. Ultimately, the poem conveys a sense of hope and determination. The speaker anticipates a future moment when they will fully embrace their creative potential, rising to sing a "youth-song" that encapsulates their desires and experiences. This longing for artistic expression underscores the importance of courage in facing the realities of aging while still holding onto the vibrancy of youth in memory and imagination. The work encapsulates themes of nostalgia, the creative process, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of time's passage.
By William Carlos Williams · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Modernism · 138 words
First lines
On the day when youth is no more upon me I will write of the leaves and the moon in a tree top!
I will sing then the song, long in the making -- When the stress of youth is put away from me.
How can I ever be written out as men say?
Surely it is merely an interference with the long song -- This that I am now doing.
What this Textopian page supports
To Wish myself Courage is listed on Textopian as a poem by William Carlos Williams, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: William Carlos Williams
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Modernism, Philosophical, Nature
- Length: 138 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Modernism — The themes of introspection and the passage of time align with modernist literary movements.
- Philosophical — The exploration of existence and self-reflection indicates philosophical themes.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Modernism · Stream-of-Consciousness · Autobiographical · Confessional · Free Verse · Imagery · Symbolism · Nature · Self-Discovery · Mental Health