Author: William Ernest Henley

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I. M. - Margaret Emma Henley (1888-1894)



    When you wake in your crib,
    You, an inch of experience -
    Vaulted about
    With the wonder of darkness;
    Wailing and striving
    To reach from your feebleness
    Something you feel
    Will be good to and cherish you,
    Something you know
    And can rest upon blindly:
    O, then a hand
    (Your mother's, your mother's!)
    By the fall of its fingers
    All knowledge, all power to you,
    Out of the dreary,
    Discouraging strangenesses
    Comes to and masters you,
    Takes you, and lovingly
    Woos you and soothes you
    Back, as you cling to it,
    Back to some comforting
    Corner of sleep.

    So you wake in your bed,
    Having lived, having loved;
    But the shadows are there,
    And the world and its kingdoms
    Incredibly faded;
    And you group through the Terror
    Above you and under
    For the light, for the warmth,
    The assurance of life;
    But the blasts are ice-born,
    And your heart is nigh burst
    With the weight of the gloom
    And the stress of your strangled
    And desperate endeavour:
    Sudden a hand -
    Mother, O Mother! -
    God at His best to you,
    Out of the roaring,
    Impossible silences,
    Falls on and urges you,
    Mightily, tenderly,
    Forth, as you clutch at it,
    Forth to the infinite
    Peace of the Grave.

    October 1891

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Type of Poem: Elegy

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poignant poem presents a deep exploration of life's trajectory, from infancy to death, while employing evocative metaphors and rich symbolism. It is divided into two distinct stanzas, each representing a different stage of life. The first stanza captures childhood, emphasizing the vulnerability and dependence of a child. It portrays the comforting presence of the mother's hand, a symbol of security, love, and guidance. This is contrasted in the second stanza, which delves into old age and the inevitable descent towards death, marked by uncertainty, darkness, and fear. Once again, the hand appears, this time as a divine force guiding the individual into the afterlife.

The poet employs a somber, contemplative tone and uses potent imagery to create a vivid portrayal of life's stages. The recurring motif of the hand serves as a comforting beacon amidst the described darkness, emphasizing the theme of guidance and love. Furthermore, the poem's structure reflects its content, with the first half focusing on the beginning of life and the second on its end. Overall, this poem is a profound meditation on life, love, and mortality, characterized by its rich symbolism and emotive language.