Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem "What Have You Done?" by Paul Verlaine is a poignant exploration of existential questioning set against the backdrop of a serene environment. Verlaine uses vivid imagery of a calm sky, a bell, and a bird to offer a stark contrast to the human experience of lost youth, internal turmoil, and regret. The poem's central question, "What have you done, you there, with your youth?" reverberates with an aching profundity, pressing the reader to examine their own life choices.

Verlaine opens the poem by setting an idyllic scene: "The sky, above the roof, / Is so blue and so calm!" The simplicity of the sky and its calmness present a paradox that only deepens as the poem progresses. The tranquility of nature-represented by the sky, the tree, and the bell-serves as a counterpoint to the human soul's complexities. The bell "quietly rings," and a bird "mournfully sings," encapsulating nature's serene but indifferent backdrop against which human dramas unfold. This is a recurring theme in Verlaine's poetry-nature as an indifferent spectator or a contrasting canvas to human sorrow.

The line "Lord, O Lord, life is here / Gently fluttering down" delves into spiritual or existential matters, considering the ephemeral nature of life. The description of life "gently fluttering down" is both delicate and laden with sorrow. The phrase "That peaceful stir we hear / Comes from the town" further sharpens the dichotomy between the tranquility of nature and the complicated, often painful, experience of human life.

The poem culminates in a poignant question addressed to the reader: "What have you done, you there, with your youth?" This question is deeply unsettling in its directness and its placement in such a serene setting. Here, Verlaine masterfully juxtaposes life's transient beauty and the unanswerable, pressing questions that haunt us. The sorrowful undertones of the poem find their climax in this inquiry, making us wonder whether the life we have lived is worthy of the youth we were gifted.

Thus, "What Have You Done?" is a finely woven tapestry of existential questioning, natural beauty, and human sorrow. Verlaine leads the reader to ponder the irrevocable passage of time and the choices that define us, all while framed by a world that remains serenely indifferent to our internal struggles. The poem's strength lies in its ability to use simple but vivid images to evoke complex emotions and thoughts, making it a compelling piece to both enjoy and dissect.

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