The Gift of Time: Finding Joy in Its Swift Passage

Finding Joy in Its Swift Passage

Cousin Brucie Press his name and listen.

The Lapse of Time
by William Cullen Bryant

Lament who will, in fruitless tears.
The speed with which our moments fly
I sigh not over vanished years,
But watch the years that hasten by.

Look, how they come,—a mingled crowd
Of bright and dark, but rapid days;
Beneath them, like a summer cloud,
The wide world changes as I gaze.

What! grieve that time has brought so soon
The sober age of manhood on?
As idly might I weep, at noon,
To see the blush of morning gone.

Could I give up the hopes that glow
In prospect, like Elysian isles;
And let the charming future go,
With all her promises and smiles?

The future!—cruel were the power
Whose doom would tear thee from my heart.
Thou sweetener of the present hour!
We cannot—no—we will not part.

Oh, leave me, still, the rapid flight
That makes the changing seasons gay,
The grateful speed that brings the night,
The swift and glad return of day;

The months that touch, with added grace,
This little prattler at my knee,
In whose arch eye and speaking face
New meaning every hour I see;

The years, that o'er each sister land
Shall lift the country of my birth
And nurse her strength, till she shall stand
The pride and pattern of the earth;

Till younger commonwealths, for aid,
Shall cling about her ample robe,
And from her frown shall shrink afraid
The crowned oppressors of the globe.

True—time will seam and blanch my brow—
Well—I shall sit with aged men,
And my good glass will tell me how
A grizzly beard becomes me then.

And should no foul dishonour lie
Upon my head, when I am gray,
Love yet shall watch my fading eye,
And smooth the path of my decay.

Then haste thee, Time—'tis kindness all
That speeds thy winged feet so fast;
Thy pleasures stay not till they pall,
And all thy pains are quickly past.

Thou fliest and bear'st away our woes,
And as thy shadowy train depart,
The memory of sorrow grows
A lighter burden on the heart.

William Cullen Bryant's poem "The Lapse of Time" impresses on us the importance of our perception of time. Instead of lamenting over the days that have passed, the poet implores us to learn to accept their speedy passing, finding beauty and significance in this speed.

In this essay, let's look at the themes and how they apply to our lives. The poem projects the dual nature of time. It brings joy and sorrow yet never rests. The poet has not looked back at his past with regret. Rather, he admires the pace of life and its changes. It is quite refreshing to read. We frequently linger in the past, lamenting the loss of our youth, opportunities, or loved ones.

However, Bryant urges one to always look forward to what is yet to come, which can prove far more rewarding. For him, time is not a thief but a giver. Each instant brings new experiences, associations, and enrichment. To him, the present is precious and the future is promising. For instance, he enjoys witnessing a child's growth and changes in his country or dreams of a peaceful old age filled with wisdom.

The poem weaves a sense of acceptance. Bryant fears neither his growing older nor change. Change is normal and, as one wishes, expected in life. He can imagine himself being an elderly man among loving and respectful people, comforting himself. It reminds us of a season of our lives where we move with acceptance and not on resistive power.

In this poem, the ruthless tempo of time becomes a blessing. Even pain and sorrow will not remain unabated. Time may soften the bitterness of grief and replace it with less harsh memories. And this soothing view makes time assume a gentle, not cruel, force. Ultimately, The Lapse of Time teaches us to restructure our perception of time. One should learn to live with the flow of time rather than resisting its movement or clinging to the past.

The moments of life are small. That is why they are so precious.  Thus, by appreciating the beauty of now and tomorrow's potential, we can live more wholly, finding even time's quick passage a delight. Time is slipping away in our busy, fast-paced lives. However, Bryant's poem would say that this swiftness gives time its value. Instead of being sad, we can hope for and renew ourselves as time passes. What a free way to live!