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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Wisdom Cometh with the Years" by Countee Cullen is a reflective poem that captures the poignant tension between the idealism and emotional intensity of youth and the more reserved, perhaps disillusioned perspective that often accompanies aging. Through personal introspection, Cullen explores themes of vulnerability, generosity, romantic passion, and the inevitable transition towards wisdom and emotional restraint. The poem opens with the speaker acknowledging their youthful naivety and openness to being moved by small acts of courage and the potential for growth, symbolized by the "slow sprouting of a seed." This sensitivity to the burgeoning and fragile aspects of life and human endeavor reflects a deep empathy and a willingness to be touched and inspired by the world around them. As the poem progresses, the speaker elaborates on their youthful sensitivity, expressing a readiness to give everything they own to those in need. This selflessness and lack of attachment to material possessions underscore a period in life where ideals often overshadow practical concerns, highlighting a sense of universal kinship and compassion. The speaker then delves into the fervor of young love, describing the intense emotional response elicited by the mere sight of a "brown girl" passing by. This stanza captures the heady, all-consuming nature of youthful attraction and the tendency to idealize the object of one's affection. The comparison of the girl to a dove that "flies melodiously" enhances the sense of beauty and unattainable grace that characterizes romantic infatuation. However, the final stanza introduces a note of caution and resignation, acknowledging that while youth is a time for dreams and emotional openness, "wisdom cometh with the years," bringing with it a recognition of life's complexities and disappointments. The mention of "the barren days" suggests a future where dreams have been tempered by experience, where the capacity for unbridled joy and sorrow has been muted by a more measured, perhaps cynical, view of the world. Despite this acknowledgment of the inevitable disillusionment that comes with age, the poem does not entirely relinquish the value of the youthful experiences it describes. Instead, it presents these experiences as essential components of the human journey, necessary for the development of wisdom and a deeper understanding of life. "Wisdom Cometh with the Years" is a tender and introspective poem that celebrates the vibrancy and openness of youth while also contemplating the more sobering realities that accompany aging. Cullen's exploration of these universal themes invites readers to reflect on their own journeys through innocence, passion, and the gradual acquisition of wisdom.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WISE MEN IN THEIR BAD HOURS by ROBINSON JEFFERS HOPE IS NOT FOR THE WISE by ROBINSON JEFFERS SEVEN TWILIGHTS: 5 by CONRAD AIKEN SONG: NOW THAT SHE IS HERE; FOR JOE-ANNE by HAYDEN CARRUTH WISE: HAVING THE ABILITY TO PERCEIVE AND ADOPT THE BEST by LUCILLE CLIFTON FOR RANDALL JARRELL, 1914-1965 by NORMAN DUBIE THE MORTAL WORDS OF ZWEIK by PHILIP LEVINE THE LOVE POEMS OF MARICHIKO: 53 by KENNETH REXROTH |
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