An Old Heart

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

    How young I am!    Ah! heaven, this curse of youth          Doth mock me from my mirror with great eyes,     And pulsing veins repeat the unwelcome truth,          That I must live, though hope within me dies.     So young, and yet I have had all of life.          Why, men have lived to see a hundred years,     Who have not known the rapture, joy, and strife          Of my brief youth, its passion and its tears.     Oh! what are years?    A ripe three score and ten          Hold often less of life, in its best sense,     Than just a twelvemonth lived by other men,          Whose high-strung souls are ardent and intense.     But having seen all depths and scaled all heights,          Having a heart love thrilled, and sorrow wrung,     Knowing all pains, all pleasures, all delights,          Now I would die -but cannot, being young.     Nothing is left me, but supreme despair;          The bitter dregs that tell of wasted wine.     Come furrowed brow, dull eye, and frosted hair,          Companions fit for this old heart of mine.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem vibrantly presents a paradoxical exploration of youth and experience, living and dying, and despair. The speaker's paradoxical lament of being "too young" to die, despite having experienced the full range of human emotions, introduces a melancholic tone. The recurring theme of life's richness not being defined by its length but by its intensity is seen throughout the poem. This notion is encapsulated in the line, "Oh! what are years? A ripe three score and ten hold often less of life, in its best sense".

The poem's structure, comprised of five quatrains, allows for the evolving narrative of the speaker's feelings towards their youth, life experiences, and the desire for death. The consistent rhyme scheme (ABAB) creates a rhythmic flow, echoing the unyielding march of time. The poem is replete with vivid imagery, such as "pulsing veins" and "frosted hair", contributing to the overall melancholic atmosphere. The metaphor of "bitter dregs that tell of wasted wine" is particularly striking, symbolizing the speaker's perception of a life lived to its fullest, yet left with only despair. The poem ultimately leaves readers with a profound sense of introspection on the nature of life, youth, and the paradoxical relationship between experience and desire.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.


Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.