A Man Young and Old: 8. Summer and Spring
A Man Young and Old: 8. Summer and Spring - meaning Summary
Young Love's Shared Memory
The poem recollects a group of friends gathered under a thorn tree who reminisce about childhood and growing up. Two members recognize a shared intimacy and embrace to complete a sense of self, prompting jealousy from Peter. The closing image contrasts summer and spring as symbols of adult fullness and youthful freshness, capturing a sudden, exuberant transformation in their relationships and the heightened emotions of memory and desire.
Read Complete AnalysesWe sat under an old thorn-tree And talked away the night, Told all that had been said or done Since first we saw the light, And when we talked of growing up Knew that we'd halved a soul And fell the one in t'other's arms That we might make it whole; Then peter had a murdering look, For it seemed that he and she Had spoken of their childish days Under that very tree. O what a bursting out there was, And what a blossoming, When we had all the summer-time And she had all the spring!
Feel free to be first to leave comment.