Imitated from the Japanese
Imitated from the Japanese - meaning Summary
Late-life Amazement
A speaker expresses astonishment at reaching seventy and suddenly feeling joyful. He repeats the fact of his age—"Seventy years have I lived"—and contrasts a lifetime of steady existence with an unexpected exultation for Spring and flowers. Though he claims he has "never...danced for joy," the poem captures a sudden, late-life emotional awakening that mixes wry understatement with plain celebration.
Read Complete AnalysesA most astonishing thing -- Seventy years have I lived; (Hurrah for the flowers of Spring, For Spring is here again.) Seventy years have I lived No ragged beggar-man, Seventy years have I lived, Seventy years man and boy, And never have I danced for joy.
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