Nearing Forty | Summary| Summary and Analysis

1. Simple Summary: The poem "Nearing Forty" is about someone thinking about getting older.
They talk about how their thoughts and feelings change as they approach forty. They use rain to
show how time goes by and how they feel about aging.

2. Analysis: The poem looks at how getting older affects emotions and creativity. It talks about
how ambition changes and how youthful excitement becomes calmer with age. Rain is
compared to time passing, and the poem talks about how age impacts how we see things, our
goals, and our creativity.

3. Main Points:

• The speaker is almost forty and thinks about how aging changes how they feel.
• Rain is used to represent time passing and getting older.
• The speaker imagines their friend John Figueroa feeling similar as they get closer to
forty.
• The poem talks about how youthful ambition becomes less strong as people age.
• Getting older can make people see things in a more negative way.
• Even though things change with age, the poem suggests finding a balance between
happiness and a calm approach to creativity.

4. Detailed Summary: The poem "Nearing Forty" by Derek Walcott talks about how someone
feels and thinks as they get close to turning forty. It starts with the person not being able to
sleep and listening to the rain. The rain is like a clock ticking, and it makes the person think
about how they're getting older. The rain also makes them feel cold, which reminds them that
they're almost forty. This makes them think about how they'll see things differently as they get
older.

The poem talks about how, when they're older, they might not think their work is as amazing as
before. It's like the excitement of dawn, but not as bright. They also talk about their friend John
Figueroa, who is also almost forty. They imagine that John's excitement will fade, and he'll
become more like a quiet kettle instead of a strong fire.

As people get older, they might not see things as widely or feel as excited. The poem says this is
like a window with slats, where you can only see a little bit. And as they get older, they might
become more negative and critical, like only looking at the rain at the end of the year instead of
the whole year.

But the poem ends with a positive idea. It says that even though things change when people get
older, they can still find happiness in doing things like writing. The person talks to John Figueroa
and says that he should keep writing, even if he feels a bit sadder. It's like having a mix of
happiness and calmness. The poem ends by saying that, just like the moon changes, life changes
too. Even when things seem tough, people can still start new things and find meaning in what
they do.

LITERARY DEVICE

1. SYMBOLISM
2. Rain: Throughout the poem, rain is used as a symbol of time passing and the aging
process. The sound and sensation of raindrops serve as a backdrop for the speaker's
reflections on growing older. Rain symbolizes the relentless progression of time and the
changes that come with age.
3. Coolness of Rain: The coolness of the rain that "numbs the marrow" represents the chill
of aging. It is a physical sensation that metaphorically connects to the emotional and
physical changes that come with nearing forty.
4. False Dawn: The phrase "false dawn" is used to symbolize the fading of youthful
enthusiasm. Just as a false dawn is not as bright as the real dawn, the speaker's energy
and passion may be waning as they approach middle age.
5. Damp Match and Dented Kettle: These two images symbolize the loss of vigor and
energy associated with aging. The "damp match" suggests a diminished spark, while the
"dented kettle" conveys a sense of wear and tear over time.
6. Louvre's Gap: The comparison of vision to a "louvre's gap" is a symbol of narrowing
perspective with age. Like the slats of a louvre window restrict the view, aging can limit
one's outlook and openness to new experiences.
7. Year-End Rainfall: The reference to judging rainfall only based on year-end data
symbolizes a cynical and limited perspective that comes with age. It reflects a tendency
to focus on negative aspects rather than seeing the full picture.
8. New Moon: The mention of the "new moon" symbolizes the potential for renewal and
fresh beginnings even in the face of challenges. It suggests that despite the changes and
difficulties of aging, there is room for growth and meaningful endeavors.

summary of the poem "Waterfall" by Lauris Dorothy Edmond.

Short Summary: "Waterfall" is a reflective and emotive poem that explores the fleeting nature
of youth, love, and life. The speaker compares life to a waterfall, emphasizing its transience. The
poem touches on the speaker's memories of love and the realization that time is irreversible, like
water flowing downward from a height.

Analysis: The poem delves into the themes of time, love, life, and death. The speaker reflects on
the passing of time and the inevitability of aging and mortality. The metaphor of a waterfall is
used to symbolize life's journey, where each drop of water represents a moment that falls
uncontrollably and cannot return to the past. The poem explores the speaker's feelings about a
lost loved one and the regret that comes with not fully appreciating that love during their time
together. The structure of the poem, its vivid imagery, and use of figurative language contribute
to its emotional impact.

Main Points:

1. The poem uses the metaphor of a waterfall to represent the passing of time and the
transience of life.
2. The speaker expresses a lack of desire to go back to youth or delay time, highlighting the
acceptance of the inevitable progression of life.
3. Memories of a past love are evoked through descriptions of moments shared in the
"green darkness" of love.
4. The theme of nature is prevalent, as seen in the mention of a waterfall, bracken, and
spices in the air.
5. The concept of time's irreversibility is reinforced through imagery of sunlight crystallizing
water drops and the unidirectional flow of the waterfall.
6. The speaker emphasizes the value of being present in the moment and cherishing the
kindness shared with a loved one.
7. The poem explores the emotions surrounding the departure of the loved one, revealing
that their absence intensifies the speaker's love and longing.
8. The concluding lines reinforce the metaphor of the waterfall, underscoring the
inevitability of life's descent, much like water falling to a pool below.

Comprehensive Summary: "Waterfall" by Lauris Dorothy Edmond is a poignant poem that

The imagery of the waterfall is painted as "jewelled" and beautiful, representing both the natural
world and the fleeting moments of existence. The speaker recalls moments of love and intimacy,
describing them as "green darkness," possibly suggesting both passion and mystery. The
mention of "bracken" and "spices in the air" evokes the scent of nature and the passing of time.

The poem highlights the crystallization of time's passage through the sunlight that "lights each
drop fast, fast falling." This serves as a reminder that life, much like water, cannot be held back.
The speaker discusses the significance of being present in the moment, finding value in simple
companionship and "mild conversation."

The poem takes an emotional turn when addressing the departure of the loved one. The
partner's absence is portrayed as an opportunity to realize the depth of love, a sentiment that
intensifies in their absence. The metaphor of the waterfall is revisited in the closing lines,
emphasizing the irreversible nature of life's journey, leading to a "dark pool" below, which can
be interpreted as death or the unknown.
In summary, "Waterfall" is a reflective exploration of time, love, and mortality. Through vivid
imagery, the poem captures the essence of fleeting moments and the emotions that accompany
the passage of time, ultimately culminating in an acceptance of life's transient nature.
Simple Summary: "Waterfall" is a poem that talks about how things like youth, love, and life
don't last forever. The poet compares life to a waterfall, where moments fall away like drops of
water. The poem also mentions a lost love and how time keeps moving forward. The poet
wishes they had appreciated their love more when they had it. The poem uses nature and the
image of a waterfall to show these feelings.

Easy Analysis: "Waterfall" is a poem about how things change and don't last forever. The poet
compares life to a waterfall where moments keep going and can't come back. The poem talks
about a person's memories of love and how time passes by. The poet wishes they had valued
their love more. They use nature to explain their feelings, like the waterfall.

Main Points:

1. The poem compares life to a waterfall where things keep moving.

Simple Summary of the Whole Thing: "Waterfall" is a poem that talks about how life is like a
waterfall, where moments don't stay and disappear. The poet looks back on a lost love and
wishes they had enjoyed it more. They compare time to a waterfall and use nature to express
their feelings. The poem reminds us that life changes, and it's important to appreciate the good
moments when we have them.