by Whitman · Cluster: Sun · Light and Dark · Fire
Abstract
A late valedictory lyric celebrating the elevated, illuminating vista of old age at life’s golden twilight, where calmer perspective reveals the best of experience.
Connections
Topoi: Memento Mori Motifs: Light and Dark, Fire Themes & Concepts: Mortality, Wonder and Gratitude Forms & Genres: Free Verse, Lyric
Testo integrale / Full text
Cluster: SANDS AT SEVENTY
The touch of flame—the illuminating fire—the loftiest look at last,
O’er city, passion, sea—o’er prairie, mountain, wood—the earth itself,
The airy, different, changing hues of all, in failing twilight,
Objects and groups, bearings, faces, reminiscences;
The calmer sight—the golden setting, clear and broad:
So much i’ the atmosphere, the points of view, the situations whence
we scan,
Bro’t out by them alone—so much (perhaps the best) unreck’d before;
The lights indeed from them—old age’s lambent peaks.