'Men At Forty' by Donald Justice

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Men at forty
Learn to close softly
The doors to rooms they will not be
Coming back to.At rest on a stair landing,
They feel it
Moving beneath them now like the deck of a ship,
Though the swell is gentle.And deep in mirrors
They rediscover
The face of the boy as he practices tying
His father's tie there in secretAnd the face of that father,
Still warm with the mystery of lather.
They are more fathers than sons themselves now.
Something is filling them, somethingThat is like the twilight sound
Of the crickets, immense,
Filling the woods at the foot of the slope
Behind their mortgaged houses.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Men at Forty by Donald Justice: A Masterpiece of Reflection and Self-Discovery

Have you ever felt the need to reflect on your life, to take a moment to pause and contemplate where you stand and where you are headed? If so, you are not alone. This is a common human experience that many of us go through at some point in our lives. In his poem "Men at Forty," Donald Justice captures this feeling with exquisite precision and depth, creating a timeless piece of literature that speaks to our universal quest for self-discovery.

At first glance, "Men at Forty" appears to be a simple poem about aging and the passage of time. The opening lines set the tone for this theme:

Men at forty Learn to close softly The doors to rooms they will not be Coming back to.

These lines suggest a sense of finality and closure, as if the speaker is acknowledging that certain doors in life have been closed forever. The image of men at forty also suggests a midpoint in life, a moment when one has lived long enough to have accumulated a certain amount of experience but still has a significant amount of time left to live. This midpoint is a crucial moment for reflection, a time to take stock of what has been achieved and what remains to be done.

As the poem progresses, Justice explores the idea of regret and the fear of missing out. The speaker admits to "regretting almost everything" and wonders about the roads not taken:

What did I know, what did I know Of love's austere and lonely offices?

Here, the speaker is acknowledging the limitations of his own knowledge and experience, recognizing that there are aspects of life that he may have missed out on or failed to fully appreciate. The phrase "love's austere and lonely offices" suggests a sense of duty and sacrifice, as if the speaker is acknowledging that the pursuit of love and meaningful relationships requires a certain amount of hard work and selflessness.

Yet despite these moments of regret and reflection, the poem is not a lamentation of lost opportunities. Rather, Justice suggests that the process of self-discovery is ongoing and that there is always room for growth and change. The final stanza of the poem offers a sense of hope and possibility:

And what should we do with this knowledge We have gleaned in our gathering years? ...What but let it grow in us and tell us, What but let it form itself there, accustoming itself To our shape, to our want of shape?

Here, Justice suggests that the knowledge and experience gained over a lifetime can be used to shape and mold our future selves. The phrase "let it grow in us and tell us" suggests a sense of organic growth and discovery, as if the process of self-discovery is not something that can be forced or rushed but must be allowed to develop naturally.

In the end, "Men at Forty" is a poem about the human condition, about the joys and sorrows of life, and about the ongoing quest for self-discovery. Through his careful use of imagery and language, Justice creates a timeless piece of literature that speaks to us on a deep and profound level. Whether you are a man at forty or a person of any age, this poem offers a powerful reminder of the importance of reflection, self-discovery, and growth.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Men At Forty: A Timeless Reflection on Life and Art

Donald Justice’s “Poetry Men At Forty” is a timeless reflection on the intersection of life and art. The poem explores the idea that as men approach middle age, they begin to reflect on their lives and the choices they have made. It is a poignant reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time we have. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as the literary devices used by Justice to convey his message.

The poem opens with the line, “Men at forty learn to close softly the doors to rooms they will not be coming back to.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is reflecting on his past and the choices he has made. The idea of closing doors is a metaphor for letting go of the past and moving on. It is a reminder that we cannot change the past, but we can learn from it and use it to shape our future.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker’s memories of his youth. He remembers the “long days” of summer and the “endless evenings” spent with friends. These memories are bittersweet, as they remind the speaker of a time when life was simpler and more carefree. However, they also serve as a reminder that life is constantly changing and that we must learn to adapt to new circumstances.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on his career as a poet. He describes the “long apprenticeship” that he has undergone and the “years that were spent in solitude.” These lines suggest that the speaker has dedicated his life to his art and that he has made sacrifices along the way. However, they also suggest that the speaker has found fulfillment in his work and that he has achieved a certain level of success.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker reflects on the passing of time. He describes the “fading memories” of his youth and the “diminished expectations” of his middle age. These lines suggest that the speaker is coming to terms with his mortality and that he is beginning to realize that his time on earth is limited. However, they also suggest that the speaker is determined to make the most of the time he has left.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker declares that “we are the same people we were at nineteen” and that “the same fears and desires still prevail.” These lines suggest that despite the passing of time, we are still fundamentally the same people we were in our youth. We still have the same hopes and dreams, the same fears and anxieties. However, they also suggest that we have the power to shape our own destiny and to make the most of the time we have left.

In terms of literary devices, Justice employs a number of techniques to convey his message. One of the most notable is the use of metaphor. The idea of closing doors is a metaphor for letting go of the past and moving on. The fading memories of youth and the diminished expectations of middle age are also metaphors for the passing of time and the inevitability of change.

Another literary device used by Justice is imagery. The long days of summer and the endless evenings spent with friends are vividly described, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing. The years spent in solitude are also described in detail, creating a sense of isolation and introspection.

Finally, Justice employs a number of rhetorical devices to convey his message. The repetition of the phrase “we are the same people we were at nineteen” creates a sense of unity and continuity, while the use of the word “still” emphasizes the idea that despite the passing of time, we are still fundamentally the same people we were in our youth.

In conclusion, “Poetry Men At Forty” is a powerful reflection on life and art. It explores the themes of nostalgia, mortality, and the passing of time, and it reminds us that we must make the most of the time we have. Through the use of metaphor, imagery, and rhetorical devices, Justice conveys a message that is both timeless and universal. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience and reminds us of the importance of living life to the fullest.

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