Old Age

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    The young see heaven - but to the old who wait          The final call, the hills of youth arise          More beautiful than shores of Paradise.     Beside a glowing and voracious grate          A dozing couple dream of yesterday;     The islands of a vanished past appear,     Bringing forgotten names and faces near;          While lost in mist, the present fades away.     The fragrant winds of tender memories blow          Across the gardens of the "Used-to-be!"          They smile into each other's eyes, and see     The bride and bridegroom of the long ago.          And tremulous lips, pressed close to faded cheek          Love's silent tale of deathless passion speak.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a profound exploration of the themes of age, memory, and enduring love. It contrasts the perceptions of youth and age, with the "young" seeing heaven as something distant and the "old" finding beauty in their youthful memories, which are portrayed as "more beautiful than shores of Paradise." This suggests a nostalgic tone, a yearning for the vibrancy and passion of youth.

The structure of the poem, divided into two distinct halves, further emphasizes this theme. The first half focuses on the present reality of the aging couple by the fire, while the second half dives into their shared past. The use of imagery is striking, painting vivid pictures of the "islands of a vanished past" and the "gardens of the 'Used-to-be.'" This shift from the physical to the mental landscape is indicative of their retreat into memories as an escape from the present.

The poem is filled with subtle literary devices that add depth to its themes. For instance, the "voracious grate" serves as a metaphor for time, consuming all in its path. The final lines, with the "tremulous lips, pressed close to faded cheek" portray the enduring love that has outlasted the ravages of time. This poignant moment encapsulates the poem's central theme: love's timelessness, its ability to transcend the physical deterioration of age and keep the flame of youthful passion alive in memory. This poem is a delicate yet powerful meditation on the human experience of aging, love, and memory.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.