All Lovely Things Comments

Focused and factual. An insightful rendition written with conviction.

I love this poem x Saved to my favourites. Top marks x

So glad I have found this poem again. The line 'and goldenrod is dust when dead' has remained in my memory from when I first read this poem about 45 years ago. It is the written equivalent of Dutch Vanitas painting from the 16th/17th where the subject is a meditation on death and mortality.

Aiken seems to prove great points with this poem. His use of contrasting images causes the reader to believe his point that all great essential things have an end. His belief that when essential things are passed their prime, they will continue to wither past their climax is very evident towards the end of this poem. Overall, what he seems to say is true, but also can be taken many ways as one can see death after living and another life after living.