YOUTH
Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.
Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of sixty more than a body of twenty. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.
Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.
Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being's heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like appetite of what's next, and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the Infinite, so long are you young.
When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at twenty, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch the waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at eighty.
Analysis and Review of the poem by Okoro Amarachi Anastasia.
The poem “Youth” by Samuel Ullman is most insightful poem about youth that i have ever come across. It impacts wisdom and vital knowledge on what youths means or stands for, what’s it entails, what it represents, what it’s all about. It’s a poem of five stanza written in a narrative form like poetry-prose. It’s language is very simple and comprehensive. The tone is calm and insightful.
Looking at theme of the poem, the poet challenge it’s audience with the thoughts to unravel what is youth?. The poet argues that youth is defined by the “state of mind” rather than “a time of life”. He described the youth from a optimistic point of view, motivating them to see themselves from that lens. The poet through the poem, encourages youth to strive for greatness and self-realization. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear purpose in life, self-belief, and the courage to face challenges.
In my own opinion, I recommend to all the youth, especially Africans. This great masterpiece will built up a great mindset in them and equipped them to rise like phoenix. One vital piece of advise/wisdom the poet shared is "Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years; people grow old by deserting their ideals." I sincerely believe that is true.
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