'Last Word To Childhood' by A.S.J. Tessimond

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The Walls of Glass1934Ice-cold fear has slowly decreased
As my bones have grown, my height increased.
Though I shiver in snow of dreams, I shall never
Freeze again in a noonday terror.I shall never break, my sinews crumble
As God-the-headmaster's fingers fumble
At the other side of unopening doors
Which I watch for a hundred thousand years.I shall never feel my thin blood leak
While darkness stretches a paw to strike
Or Nothing beats an approaching drum
Behind my back in a silent room.I shall never, alone, meet the end of my world
At the bend of a path, the turn of a wall:
Never, or once more only, and
That will be once and an end of end.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Last Word To Childhood" by A.S.J. Tessimond: A Nostalgic Ode to Lost Innocence

Introduction

"Last Word To Childhood" is a poignant and nostalgic poem by English poet A.S.J. Tessimond that speaks to the universal experience of growing up and losing one's innocence. The poem is a reflection on the passage of time and the loss of the carefree joy that characterizes childhood. Tessimond's evocative use of imagery and language captures the essence of nostalgia and the bittersweet memories of youth.

Summary

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which reflects on a different aspect of childhood. The first stanza considers the pure joy and wonder of childhood, the second the inevitability of growing up and losing that joy, and the third the longing for a return to that lost time.

The first stanza begins with a vivid description of the child's playful and carefree nature. The child is described as "a naked dancer," "a truant in the fields of light," and "a happy prince," all of which suggest a sense of freedom and joy. The child's world is one of "buttercups and daisies" and "pearls of dew," which convey a sense of innocence and wonder.

The second stanza marks a shift in tone as the poem moves from the present to the future. The child is no longer "a naked dancer" but a "carpet knight," which suggests a sense of loss and resignation. The image of the carpet knight also evokes a sense of playfulness and imagination, but it is tinged with the knowledge that this playfulness will not last forever.

The final stanza is a reflection on the past and a longing for the lost innocence of childhood. The speaker addresses childhood directly, saying "I would come back to you." The use of the conditional tense suggests that this return is impossible, and the final lines of the poem suggest that the speaker has accepted this fact: "you are gone and I must be content."

Analysis

"Last Word To Childhood" is a deeply nostalgic poem that reflects on the universal experience of growing up and losing one's innocence. Tessimond's use of language and imagery is particularly effective in conveying the sense of longing and loss that characterizes the poem.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of time passing and the inevitability of growing up. This is reflected in the shift in tone from the first stanza, which celebrates the joy and wonder of childhood, to the second stanza, which acknowledges the loss of that joy. The use of the metaphor of the carpet knight also suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance that childhood cannot last forever.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea of nostalgia and the longing for a return to the past. This is evident in the final stanza, where the speaker directly addresses childhood and expresses a desire to return to that lost time. However, the use of the conditional tense suggests that this return is impossible, and the final lines of the poem suggest that the speaker has come to accept this fact.

The use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the sense of nostalgia and loss in the poem. The image of the child as a "naked dancer" and a "happy prince" is particularly evocative and suggests a sense of freedom and joy. The use of natural imagery, such as "buttercups and daisies" and "pearls of dew," also conveys a sense of innocence and wonder.

The use of language is also effective in conveying the sense of nostalgia and loss. The repetition of the phrase "you are gone" in the final stanza is particularly powerful and reinforces the sense of finality and acceptance that characterizes the poem.

Conclusion

"Last Word To Childhood" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the universal experience of growing up and losing one's innocence. Tessimond's use of language and imagery is particularly effective in conveying the sense of nostalgia and loss that characterizes the poem. The poem is a celebration of childhood and a lament for its passing, and it speaks to the deep human desire to return to a time of innocence and joy.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Last Word to Childhood: A Timeless Poem by A.S.J. Tessimond

As we grow older, we often look back on our childhood with a sense of nostalgia and longing. The memories of our carefree days, the innocence of our thoughts, and the simplicity of our lives often bring a smile to our faces. However, as we delve deeper into the complexities of adulthood, we realize that childhood was not just a phase of life, but a state of mind. A.S.J. Tessimond's poem, "Last Word to Childhood," captures this sentiment beautifully.

The poem is a conversation between the speaker and their childhood self. The speaker is bidding farewell to their childhood, acknowledging that it is time to move on. However, the speaker is not bitter or resentful about growing up. Instead, they are grateful for the memories and experiences that have shaped them into the person they are today.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing their childhood self, "Goodbye, child, goodbye, dear little night, / Your mother is making the milk warm and white." The use of the word "night" is interesting because it suggests that childhood is a time of darkness, a time when we are unaware of the world's complexities. The speaker acknowledges that their mother is making the milk warm and white, which is a symbol of comfort and security. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the speaker's childhood.

The second stanza of the poem is a beautiful description of childhood. The speaker says, "Your bed is a warm and cosy nest, / Your pillows are feathers from the breast / Of the softest dove." This description is not just about the physical comfort of childhood but also about the emotional comfort that comes with it. The use of the word "nest" suggests that childhood is a time of safety and security, a place where we can retreat from the world's harsh realities. The reference to the dove's feathers is also significant because it suggests that childhood is a time of innocence and purity.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to bid farewell to their childhood. The speaker says, "But now you must sleep and dream of the sky / And the flutter that passes forever by." The use of the word "forever" suggests that childhood is fleeting, and we must cherish it while we can. The speaker is urging their childhood self to dream of the sky, which is a symbol of freedom and possibility. The reference to the flutter passing forever by is a reminder that childhood is a time of wonder and magic, and we must hold onto those memories as we grow older.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's own journey from childhood to adulthood. The speaker says, "Your eyes are sealed in sweet repose, / But now you must wake to the life that grows / And grows." The use of the word "sealed" suggests that childhood is a time of innocence, a time when we are unaware of the world's complexities. However, the speaker acknowledges that it is time to wake up and face the realities of life. The use of the word "grows" suggests that life is a journey, and we must continue to grow and evolve as we move forward.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a reminder that childhood is not just a phase of life, but a state of mind. The speaker says, "Your mother is gone and your father gone, / The water is dripping, the clocks tick on." The use of the word "gone" suggests that childhood is a time of dependency, a time when we rely on our parents for everything. However, the speaker acknowledges that as we grow older, our parents will not always be there for us. The reference to the water dripping and the clocks ticking on is a reminder that time waits for no one, and we must make the most of every moment.

The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful conclusion to the speaker's reflection on their childhood. The speaker says, "Your bed is still warm, the sheets are clean, / And life is there for you to begin, / And begin." The use of the word "still" suggests that even though childhood is over, the memories and experiences will always be with us. The reference to the sheets being clean is a symbol of a fresh start, a new beginning. The repetition of the word "begin" is a reminder that life is a journey, and we must continue to move forward, embracing every moment.

In conclusion, A.S.J. Tessimond's poem, "Last Word to Childhood," is a timeless reflection on the beauty and complexity of childhood. The poem captures the innocence, wonder, and magic of childhood, while also acknowledging that it is a fleeting phase of life. The poem is a reminder that childhood is not just a phase of life, but a state of mind, and the memories and experiences will always be with us. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the journey of life, and a reminder that we must cherish every moment, embracing every new beginning.

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