Days
Days - meaning Summary
Choices Shape What Arrives
Emerson personifies Time as the Days, a procession that dispenses varied fortunes—bread, power, stars—according to each person’s will. The speaker watches this ceremonial distribution from a private, sheltered garden, neglecting earlier ambitions and taking only modest provisions. Because of his inattention he misses his chance; when the Day passes, he recognizes too late the contempt in its crown. The poem registers regret about wasted opportunity and the consequences of passivity.
Read Complete AnalysesDaughters of Time, the hypocritic Days, Muffled and dumb like barefoot dervishes, And marching single in an endless file, Bring diadems and fagots in their hands. To each they offer gifts after his will, Bread, kingdom, stars, and sky that holds them all. I, in my pleached garden, watched the pomp, Forgot my morning wishes, hastily Took a few herbs and apples, and the Day Turned and departed silent. I, too late, Under her solemn fillet saw the scorn.
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