No one is going to remain young in this world. Everybody will turn into next phase of life as the age increases. This is the rule of nature. “Affirmation” focuses on the same idea of growing old. This poem tells how age increases and mind starts annoying body. Donald Hall is sharing few secrets related to age with his readers.
According to the poet, to grow old means losing everything. Somehow it is true as the age increases this body becomes tiresome and gradually stops functioning properly. This is when the aged person starts thinking about the time of youth and the memories of those beautiful moments give him/her tremendous pain.
What is true color of this life? Is it young age or death? Poet is confused between these two words. He feels that young age is beautiful because you can do anything you want when you are young as once you grow old, even your body stops obeying your orders.
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Poet is very particular with his words as he is directly speaking to readers. If he wishes to say that death is bad then he has said it. Unlike other poems which keeps thousands secrets behind and let readers think in several ways, this poem is true to each and every word said in it. This poem becomes more interesting as the whole journey of life is explained in it. The main subject is age. Poet has explained every stage of life keeping age in mind. Donald says that this life is too short and going to end one day. It is necessary to think about it at young age to be able to enjoy every phase of life.
“Affirmation” lets readers to think on the main subject. Poet says it is inevitable for the age to grow and we cannot stop it. Everyone is going to grow one day and after entering a certain age, everyone will start fearing death. So it is better to enjoy this life in young age. This life is not going to wait for anyone. Time will move at own pace and it will not look at whether you have enjoyed every moment or not. Thus keep your attention on growing age and be careful of the moving time. Then decide what you want to do and go for it. This young age can only provide you true happiness hidden inside this life.
In few lines of this poem young age is explained beautifully. Poet asks readers to remember those beautiful moments when they proposed a fair lady. How generously poet has caught the attention of reader! This is a true example of geniuses. The poet has managed to carry the reader’s mind and feel into the times and the moments that he is talking about. He has placed all readers into another world. No one can think that growing age can become a topic to write a poem on it. Poet has done that magic. This poem wins the heart of every reader with its content and style.