Poetry Analysis

The trick is, to live your days

Original Poetry

Translation

The trick is, to live your days

The key is to live each day

as if each one may be your last

as if it might be your last

(for they go fast, and young men lose their lives

(because days pass quickly, and young men die

in strange and unimaginable ways)

in unexpected and unimaginable ways)

but at the same time, plan long range

but also, plan for the future

(for they go slow; if you survive

(because time can move slowly; if you survive

the shattered windshield and the bursting shell

car accidents and explosions

you will arrive

you will reach

at our approximation here below

either a heaven or hell on earth).

of heaven or hell).

Specifically, between the peony and the rose

To be specific, between the peony and the rose

plant vegetables like squash and spinach, turnips and tomatoes;

plant squash and spinach, turnips and tomatoes;

beauty is like nectar

beauty is nectar

and nectar can save you in a desert,

and nectar, in a desert, saves,

but your stomach needs more filling food

but the stomach craves stronger sustenance

than sweet vines.

than the honied vine.

So, marry a pretty girl

Therefore, marry a pretty girl

but first meet her mother;

after seeing her mother;

Reveal your true self to one person,

Show your soul to one man,

work with someone else;

work with another;

and always serve bread with your wine.

But son, always serve wine.

Explanation

This poem offers a blend of philosophical and practical advice on how to live a fulfilling life. It begins by suggesting that one should live each day as if it could be their last, highlighting the unpredictability and brevity of life. At the same time, it advises planning for the future, acknowledging that life can also be long and requires preparation. The poem uses the metaphor of planting both flowers and vegetables to illustrate the balance between appreciating beauty and ensuring practical sustenance. It suggests marrying wisely, showing one's true self selectively, and maintaining hospitality by serving bread with wine. The repeated emphasis on serving wine symbolizes the importance of enjoying life and sharing joy with others. Overall, the poem encourages a balanced approach to life, combining immediate enjoyment with long-term planning.

Word Dictionary10

Word	Easy Meaning	Translation	Pron.
trick	method	a simple way to do something	trik
approximation	estimate	a rough guess or estimate	ap-rok-si-may-shun
sustenance	food	food that keeps you alive	sus-tuh-nuhns
nectar	sweet liquid	sweet juice from flowers	nek-tar
honied	sweet	tasting like honey	hon-eed
vine	climbing plant	a plant that climbs or spreads	vyn
shattered	broken	broken into pieces	shat-urd
bursting	exploding	suddenly breaking open	burst-ing
shell	bomb	an explosive bomb	shel
craves	desires	really wants	krayvz

Poet & Context

Poet—

EraContemporary

The author of this poem is not identified in the available sources. The poem reflects contemporary themes and advice on living life meaningfully.

View on Wikipedia

WhenUnknown

WhyThe poem offers practical advice on living life fully and wisely, balancing the urgency of living each day as if it were the last with the prudence of planning for the future.

FormFree verse

Themes & More

Themes

MortalityBalance in LifePractical WisdomEnjoyment of Life

Literary devices

Metaphor: Comparing beauty to nectar and life to a journey.Imagery: Vivid descriptions of flowers, vegetables, and wine.Paradox: Living each day as if it's the last while planning for the future.Symbolism: Wine as a symbol of joy and celebration.

Poetry Analysis

The trick is, to live your days

Original Poetry

Translation

The trick is, to live your days

The key is to live each day

as if each one may be your last

as if it might be your last

(for they go fast, and young men lose their lives

(because days pass quickly, and young men die

in strange and unimaginable ways)

in unexpected and unimaginable ways)

but at the same time, plan long range

but also, plan for the future

(for they go slow; if you survive

(because time can move slowly; if you survive

the shattered windshield and the bursting shell

car accidents and explosions

you will arrive

you will reach

at our approximation here below

either a heaven or hell on earth).

of heaven or hell).

Specifically, between the peony and the rose

To be specific, between the peony and the rose

plant vegetables like squash and spinach, turnips and tomatoes;

plant squash and spinach, turnips and tomatoes;

beauty is like nectar

beauty is nectar

and nectar can save you in a desert,

and nectar, in a desert, saves,

but your stomach needs more filling food

but the stomach craves stronger sustenance

than sweet vines.

than the honied vine.

So, marry a pretty girl

Therefore, marry a pretty girl

but first meet her mother;

after seeing her mother;

Reveal your true self to one person,

Show your soul to one man,

work with someone else;

work with another;

and always serve bread with your wine.

But son, always serve wine.

Explanation

Word Dictionary10

Word	Easy Meaning	Translation	Pron.
trick	method	a simple way to do something	trik
approximation	estimate	a rough guess or estimate	ap-rok-si-may-shun
sustenance	food	food that keeps you alive	sus-tuh-nuhns
nectar	sweet liquid	sweet juice from flowers	nek-tar
honied	sweet	tasting like honey	hon-eed
vine	climbing plant	a plant that climbs or spreads	vyn
shattered	broken	broken into pieces	shat-urd
bursting	exploding	suddenly breaking open	burst-ing
shell	bomb	an explosive bomb	shel
craves	desires	really wants	krayvz

Poet & Context

Poet—

EraContemporary

The author of this poem is not identified in the available sources. The poem reflects contemporary themes and advice on living life meaningfully.

View on Wikipedia

WhenUnknown

WhyThe poem offers practical advice on living life fully and wisely, balancing the urgency of living each day as if it were the last with the prudence of planning for the future.

FormFree verse

Themes & More

Themes

MortalityBalance in LifePractical WisdomEnjoyment of Life

Literary devices