Original Poem
The trick is, to live your days as if each one may be your last (for they go fast, and young men lose their lives in strange and unimaginable ways) but at the same time, plan long range (for they go slow; if you survive the shattered windshield and the bursting shell you will arrive at our approximation here below of heaven or hell). To be specific, between the peony and the rose plant squash and spinach, turnips and tomatoes; beauty is nectar and nectar, in a desert, saves, but the stomach craves stronger sustenance than the honied vine. Therefore, marry a pretty girl after seeing her mother; Show your soul to one man, work with another; and always serve bread with your wine. But son, always serve wine.
Translation (English)
The key is to live each day
as if it might be your last
(because days pass quickly, and young men die
in unexpected and unimaginable ways)
but also, plan for the future
(because time can move slowly; if you survive
car accidents and explosions
you will reach
either a heaven or hell on earth).
Specifically, between the peony and the rose
plant vegetables like squash and spinach, turnips and tomatoes;
beauty is like nectar
and nectar can save you in a desert,
but your stomach needs more filling food
than sweet vines.
So, marry a pretty girl
but first meet her mother;
Reveal your true self to one person,
work with someone else;
and always serve bread with your wine.
But son, always serve wine.
About the Poet
Unknown (Contemporary)
The author of this poem is not identified in the available sources. The poem reflects contemporary themes and advice on living life meaningfully.
Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Free verse
- When Written
- Unknown
- Background
- The 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.
Sources: https://medium.com/student-voices/live-each-day-as-if-it-were-your-last-8ab7bccd0893, https://archive.philosophersmag.com/live-each-day-as-if-it-were-your-last/
Detailed 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.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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