Instants
Instants - meaning Summary
Regret and Seizing the Present
This poem presents an elderly speaker reflecting on life with regret and a wish to live differently. He imagines repeating his life but taking more risks, enjoying simple pleasures, traveling lightly, and valuing present moments over prudence. The tone mixes ruefulness and a hopeful impulse to seize ordinary joys—sunsets, sunrises, children, ice cream—rather than obsessing over safety or perfection. The closing lines confront mortality directly: the speaker is eighty-five and aware of dying, which sharpens the poem’s exhortation to "not lose the now."
Read Complete AnalysesIf I could live again my life, in the next - I'll try to make more mistakes, I won't try to be so perfect, I'll be more relaxed, I'll be more full - than I am now. In fact, I'll take fewer things seriously, I'll be less hygienic, I'll take more risks, I'll take more trips, I'll watch more sunsets, I'll climb more mountains, I'll swim more rivers, I'll go to more places - I've never been, I'll eat more ice creams and less (lime) beans, I'll have more real problems - and less imaginary ones. I was one of those people who live prudent and prolific lives - each minute of his life. Off course that I had moments of joy - but, if I could go back I'll try to have only good moments. If you don't know - that's what life is made of, don't lose the now! I was one of those who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, without a hot-water bottle, and without an umbrella and without a parachute. If I could live again - I will travel light, if I could live again - I'll try to work bare feet at the beginning of spring till the end of autumn, I'll ride more carts, I'll watch more sunrises and play with more children, if I have the life to live - but now I am 85, and I know that I am dying ...
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