Poetry Analysis

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When I was least happy in life

Original Poetry

Translation

When I was least happy in life

When I was most unhappy in life

my daughter led me across the road

my daughter took me across the street

to a neighbour whom I did not know

to a neighbor I didn't know

with the purpose of a toddler

with the determination of a little child

who does not see gates and fences

who doesn't see barriers

but the ducks and puppies

but only the ducks and puppies

on the other side.

You spoke to me in the same low murmuring tones

You spoke to me in the same gentle tones

you used for lame horses and bilious dogs.

you used for sick horses and dogs.

Crops, flowers and poultry were our theme:

We talked about crops, flowers, and chickens:

you made me tea and wiped the counter,

you made me tea and cleaned the counter,

you said ‘Foeitog’ and ‘I don’t hope so.’

you said ‘Poor thing’ and ‘I hope not.’

You guessed.

You understood.

You told me I was beautiful,

You told me I was lovely,

In the courtly way of an old man.

In the polite way of an old man.

One day when it rained

One rainy day

you phoned from your side and said

you called from your house and said

‘I’m sending some ducks for Beatrix’

̶ you always called her ‘Beatrix’

out the window we saw them,

we saw them through the window,

waddling over,

in the way of ducks

like ducks do

when directed by Oom Piet.

when guided by Uncle Piet.

You moved and I moved, but one thing stays:

You moved away and I moved away, but one thing remains:

the sense of a rescue, somehow being saved.

the feeling of being rescued, somehow being saved.

Explanation

The poem captures a poignant moment of human connection and kindness during a period of personal unhappiness. The speaker recalls being led by their daughter to a neighbor they did not know, who treated them with gentle understanding and kindness. The neighbor's actions, such as speaking in soothing tones and sharing simple conversations about everyday topics, provided a sense of comfort and rescue. The mention of sending ducks for the speaker's daughter, Beatrix, symbolizes a gesture of care and affection. Despite changes and movements in life, the speaker holds onto the memory of this emotional rescue, highlighting the lasting impact of small acts of kindness. The poem uses imagery of animals and nature to convey innocence and simplicity, while the neighbor's courtly manner and the use of phrases like 'Foeitog' add a touch of cultural specificity.

Word Dictionary10

Word	In English	Plain (English)	Pron.
least	smallest amount	smallest amount	leest
murmuring	softly speaking	speaking softly	mur-mur-ing
bilious	sickly	feeling sick	bil-yus
courtly	polite	very polite	court-lee
waddling	walking like a duck	walking like a duck	wad-ling
rescue	saving	saving from danger	res-kew
foeitog	poor thing	expression of sympathy	foy-tog
fences	barriers	barriers	fen-ses
toddler	young child	young child	tod-ler
guessed	supposed	thought	gest

Poet & Context

Poet—

EraUnknown

The poet's identity and era are not available from the provided text or research.

WhenUnknown

WhyThe poem seems to reflect on personal experiences and relationships, possibly capturing a moment of unexpected kindness and connection that provided emotional rescue during a difficult time.

FormFree verse

Themes & More

Themes

KindnessRescueHuman ConnectionMemory

Literary devices

Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery of ducks, puppies, and nature to evoke a sense of innocence and simplicity.Metaphor: The act of being led across the road symbolizes a journey towards emotional healing.Symbolism: Ducks and the act of sending them represent care and affection.Tone: The poem has a gentle and reflective tone, emphasizing the comfort found in small acts of kindness.

Poetry Analysis

Back to Explore

When I was least happy in life

Original Poetry

Translation

When I was least happy in life

When I was most unhappy in life

my daughter led me across the road

my daughter took me across the street

to a neighbour whom I did not know

to a neighbor I didn't know

with the purpose of a toddler

with the determination of a little child

who does not see gates and fences

who doesn't see barriers

but the ducks and puppies

but only the ducks and puppies

on the other side.

You spoke to me in the same low murmuring tones

You spoke to me in the same gentle tones

you used for lame horses and bilious dogs.

you used for sick horses and dogs.

Crops, flowers and poultry were our theme:

We talked about crops, flowers, and chickens:

you made me tea and wiped the counter,

you made me tea and cleaned the counter,

you said ‘Foeitog’ and ‘I don’t hope so.’

you said ‘Poor thing’ and ‘I hope not.’

You guessed.

You understood.

You told me I was beautiful,

You told me I was lovely,

In the courtly way of an old man.

In the polite way of an old man.

One day when it rained

One rainy day

you phoned from your side and said

you called from your house and said

‘I’m sending some ducks for Beatrix’

̶ you always called her ‘Beatrix’

out the window we saw them,

we saw them through the window,

waddling over,

in the way of ducks

like ducks do

when directed by Oom Piet.

when guided by Uncle Piet.

You moved and I moved, but one thing stays:

You moved away and I moved away, but one thing remains:

the sense of a rescue, somehow being saved.

the feeling of being rescued, somehow being saved.

Explanation

Word Dictionary10

Word	In English	Plain (English)	Pron.
least	smallest amount	smallest amount	leest
murmuring	softly speaking	speaking softly	mur-mur-ing
bilious	sickly	feeling sick	bil-yus
courtly	polite	very polite	court-lee
waddling	walking like a duck	walking like a duck	wad-ling
rescue	saving	saving from danger	res-kew
foeitog	poor thing	expression of sympathy	foy-tog
fences	barriers	barriers	fen-ses
toddler	young child	young child	tod-ler
guessed	supposed	thought	gest

Poet & Context

Poet—

EraUnknown

The poet's identity and era are not available from the provided text or research.

WhenUnknown

WhyThe poem seems to reflect on personal experiences and relationships, possibly capturing a moment of unexpected kindness and connection that provided emotional rescue during a difficult time.

FormFree verse

Themes & More

Themes

KindnessRescueHuman ConnectionMemory

Literary devices