Poem Analysis - The Day Before I Die

Henry Lawson's "The Day Before I Die" is a poignant meditation on life, regret, and love, delivered in a conversational tone. The poem captures the speaker's awareness of wasted time and unfulfilled potential as he confronts his impending mortality. While tinged with regret, the poem also finds solace in love and a desire for connection. There's a subtle shift from initial lament to a tender appreciation for a loved one. The overall feeling is bittersweet, a blend of remorse and affectionate acceptance.

A Voice from the Bush: Lawson's Austrlian Identity

Henry Lawson was a prominent Australian writer known for his realistic portrayals of Australian life, particularly the experiences of rural workers and the struggles of the working class. While this poem doesn't explicitly depict the Australian outback, Lawson's working-class background is visible in the poem's simple language and themes of missed opportunities and reflection on life's path, as well as his candid confessions of love.

Regret and Unfinished Business: Theme of Mortality

One of the central themes is the speaker's confrontation with mortality and the regret associated with a life perceived as not fully lived. The opening lines, "There’s such a lot of work to do, for such a troubled head!" immediately establish a sense of unfinished business. He acknowledges wasting "lots of time" on "drink and love," ironically, the latter, while cherished, is described as a culprit, emphasizing the internal conflict. The repetition of "the day before I die" reinforces the urgency and the limited time left to reconcile with these regrets. The speaker seems to regret time spent on the "troubled head" and wishes he could have spent more time with loved ones.

Love as Solace: Theme of Connection

Contrasting the regret is the powerful theme of love, serving as a source of comfort in the face of death. The lines, "But, lift me dear, for I am tired, and let me taste the wine / And lay your cheek a little while on this lined cheek of mine," reveal a deep desire for physical and emotional intimacy. The speaker's love is what will make him regret his death. He acknowledges that his patient lover is "why / I’ll have such little time," revealing the time he could have had together. His love, his affection, and appreciation for those relationships will be part of what makes death difficult.

Scribbling and Wine: Symbols of Creation and Comfort

The act of "scribbling" becomes a symbol of the speaker's creative endeavors and a way of grappling with his thoughts. He envisions "scribbling much in this way by and by," suggesting that writing is both a lifelong pursuit and a means of processing his emotions. Wine, on the other hand, symbolizes comfort and perhaps a temporary escape from the anxieties of death. It's a simple pleasure sought in the face of a significant event. The lines "let me taste the wine" illustrates that in the face of death one seeks simple pleasures to ease the pain.

Final Reflections on Lawson's Day

"The Day Before I Die" is a raw and relatable exploration of mortality and the human condition. Lawson masterfully blends regret with affection, presenting a speaker who is acutely aware of his shortcomings yet finds solace in the love he shares. The poem's significance lies in its honest portrayal of the complex emotions that arise when facing the end of life, reminding us to cherish the present and value the connections that sustain us. It's a reminder that even in the face of death, love and connection offer a flicker of light in the darkness.