POEM – ILife – Henry Van Dyke
Let me but live my life from year to year,
With forward face and unreluctant soul;
Not hurrying to, nor turning from the goal;
Not mourning for the things that disappear
In the dim past, nor holding back in fear
From what the future veils; but with a whole
And happy heart, that pays its toll
To Youth and Age, and travels on with cheer.
So let the way wind up the hill or down,
O'er rough or smooth, the journey will be joy:
Still seeking what I sought when but a boy,
New friendship, high adventure, and a crown,
My heart will keep the courage of the quest,
And hope the road's last turn will be the best.
I)APPRECIATION:
Me, my - The Poet
that - The Poet’s Happy Heart
toll - duty
crown - prize
Rhyme Scheme - abba
II) Answer the following.
What kind of life does the poet want to lead?
The poet wants to lead a joyful life
Why do you think the poet is not in a hurry?
The poet has set his Goal
What should one not mourn for?
One should not mourn for the lost things
How can one travel on with cheer?
One can travel on with cheer with a happy heart
How is the way of life?
The way of life will be with ups and downs
How should be the journey of life?
The journey of life should be Joyful.
What did the poet seek as a boy?
The poet sought Friendship, Adventure and Crown.
What kind of quest does the poet seek here?
The poet seeks courage
What is the poet’s hope?
The poet’s hope is his journey to be the best.
Meaning of
unreluctant soul - willingness
in the dim past - unhappy past
III)FIGURE OF SPEECH:
A) “New Fiendship ..High Adventure…” – Metaphor
B) “Not hurrying to…..
Not mourning……” – Anaphora
C) “To youth and age…..” - Oxymoron.
IV) PARAGRAPH
The poet wants to lead a joyful life
He has set his goal
He doesn’t want to mourn for the lost things
He travels cheerfully with a happy heart
He has faith in his way of life
He seeks new friendship, high adventure and a crown
He seeks the quest of courage
He hopes the journey will be the best
