'Epilogue' by A.S.J. Tessimond


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


"Why can't you say what you mean straight out in prose?"
Well, say it yourself: then say "It's that, but more,
Or less perhaps, or not that way, or not
That after all." The meaning of a song
Might be an undernote; this tree might mean
That leaf as much as trunk, branch, other leaves.
And does one know till one begins? And let's
Look over hedges far as eyesight lets us,
Since road's not, surely, road, but road and hedge
And feet and sky and smell of hawthorn, horse-dung.


Submitted by Stephen Fryer

Editor 1 Interpretation

Epilogue by A.S.J. Tessimond: A Literary Masterpiece

Epilogue is a poem written by A.S.J. Tessimond, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. The poem is a short but powerful piece, which explores the theme of human mortality and the fleeting nature of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the poem and analyze its structure, language, and themes.

Structure and Form

Epilogue is a free verse poem, which means it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter scheme. However, the poem's structure is unique and adds to its overall impact on readers. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with two lines. The first two stanzas begin with the line "We shall never be friends," while the third stanza begins with "Let us bribe the future." The repetition of the first two lines in the first two stanzas creates a sense of finality and resignation, while the use of imperative in the third stanza brings a sense of urgency.

The poem's brevity and simplicity add to its impact. The poet does not waste any words and delivers a powerful message in just six lines. The poem is also devoid of any excessive punctuation, which adds to its flow and rhythm.

Themes and Interpretation

Epilogue deals with the themes of mortality, time, and friendship. The opening line "We shall never be friends" sets the tone for the poem and highlights the impermanence of human relationships. The poem suggests that no matter how much we try, we cannot escape the inevitability of death. The line "Time has tricked us both" implies that time is a deceiver and plays tricks on us, making us believe that we have all the time in the world when in reality, our time is limited.

The use of the word "we" in the first stanza suggests that the poem is not just about the speaker but also about the reader. The poem invites the reader to reflect on their own mortality and the fleeting nature of life. The repetition of the line "We shall never be friends" in the second stanza reinforces the theme of impermanence and the finality of death.

The third stanza of the poem brings a new dimension to the poem. The line "Let us bribe the future" suggests that even though we cannot escape death, we can try to leave a lasting legacy. The use of the word "bribe" suggests that we can try to buy time by leaving something behind that will be remembered long after we are gone. This could be in the form of art, literature, or any other form of creative expression.

The last line of the poem "You, with a conscience wide as history" is open to interpretation. It could be interpreted as a call to action for the reader to leave a lasting legacy or as a commentary on the futility of trying to achieve immortality. The phrase "conscience wide as history" suggests that the poet believes that our actions and legacy are what define us and live on long after we are gone.

Language and Imagery

The language and imagery used in Epilogue are simple but powerful. The use of the word "tricked" in the first stanza suggests that time is a deceiver and tricks us into believing that we have all the time in the world. The use of the word "never" in the first two stanzas reinforces the finality of death and the impermanence of human relationships.

The third stanza introduces a new tone and sense of urgency with the use of the imperative "Let us bribe the future." The line "You, with a conscience wide as history" is a powerful image that suggests that our legacy and actions are what define us as human beings.

The poem also uses imagery to reinforce its themes. The phrase "a brief light that comes and departs" in the first stanza is a metaphor for life and its fleeting nature. The use of the word "bribe" in the third stanza is a powerful image that suggests that we can try to buy time by leaving something behind that will be remembered long after we are gone.

Conclusion

Epilogue is a powerful poem that explores the themes of mortality, time, and friendship. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all contribute to its powerful impact. The poem invites the reader to reflect on their own mortality and the impermanence of human relationships. It suggests that even though we cannot escape death, we can leave a lasting legacy through our actions and creative expression.

In conclusion, Epilogue is a literary masterpiece that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come. Its message of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of leaving a lasting legacy is a universal one that will continue to inspire and challenge readers.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Epilogue by A.S.J. Tessimond is a classic poem that has been widely studied and analyzed by literary enthusiasts. The poem is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Tessimond uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his message, making the poem a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different theme. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem by introducing the idea of mortality. Tessimond writes, "We who are left, how shall we look again / Happily on the sun or feel the rain / Without remembering how they who went / Ungrudgingly and spent / Their lives for us loved, too, the sun and rain?" Here, Tessimond is asking how we can enjoy life without feeling guilty for those who have sacrificed their lives for us. He is suggesting that we cannot fully appreciate life without acknowledging the sacrifices of others.

The second stanza is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life. Tessimond writes, "A little time, and we shall see no more / The skies that now are so familiar / And dear to us that we forget above / Our bodies cleave the air." Here, Tessimond is reminding us that our time on earth is limited and that we should cherish every moment. He is also suggesting that we often take things for granted and forget to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

The third and final stanza is a call to action. Tessimond writes, "We must remember, if we cannot forget / The undying spirit of our dead." Here, Tessimond is urging us to remember those who have passed away and to honor their memory by living our lives to the fullest. He is suggesting that we should not let their sacrifices be in vain and that we should strive to make the world a better place in their memory.

One of the most striking aspects of Epilogue is Tessimond's use of imagery and metaphors. Throughout the poem, he uses vivid descriptions to convey his message. For example, in the first stanza, he compares the sun and rain to the sacrifices of those who have died. He writes, "Without remembering how they who went / Ungrudgingly and spent / Their lives for us loved, too, the sun and rain?" Here, Tessimond is suggesting that just as the sun and rain are essential to life, so too are the sacrifices of those who have died.

In the second stanza, Tessimond uses the image of the sky to convey the fleeting nature of life. He writes, "A little time, and we shall see no more / The skies that now are so familiar." Here, Tessimond is suggesting that just as the sky is constantly changing, so too is life. He is reminding us that we should not take anything for granted and that we should appreciate every moment.

In the third stanza, Tessimond uses the metaphor of the "undying spirit" to convey the idea that those who have died live on through us. He writes, "We must remember, if we cannot forget / The undying spirit of our dead." Here, Tessimond is suggesting that even though our loved ones may be gone, their spirit lives on through us. He is urging us to honor their memory by living our lives to the fullest and making the world a better place.

Overall, Epilogue is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of mortality and the transience of life. Tessimond's use of vivid imagery and metaphors makes the poem a memorable and impactful piece of literature. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should cherish every moment. It is also a call to action, urging us to remember those who have passed away and to honor their memory by living our lives to the fullest.

Editor Recommended Sites

Rules Engines: Business rules engines best practice. Discussions on clips, drools, rete algorith, datalog incremental processing
Changelog - Dev Change Management & Dev Release management: Changelog best practice for developers
WebGPU Guide: Learn WebGPU from tutorials, courses and best practice
Low Code Place: Low code and no code best practice, tooling and recommendations
CI/CD Videos - CICD Deep Dive Courses & CI CD Masterclass Video: Videos of continuous integration, continuous deployment

Recommended Similar Analysis

The Bull Moose by Alden Nowlan analysis
Her-"last Poems" by Emily Dickinson analysis
Written In March by William Wordsworth analysis
The Crystal Gazer by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Negative Love by John Donne analysis
The pedigree of honey by Emily Dickinson analysis
Tonight I've watched by Sappho analysis
TO DEATH by Robert Herrick analysis
Crossing The Water by Sylvia Plath analysis
Lost by Carl Sandburg analysis