Nothing Gold Can Stay
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Themes:
* The fleeting nature of beauty and youth: The poem uses the image of gold, a symbol of value and permanence, to contrast with the impermanence of natural beauty.
* The inevitability of change: The poem suggests that everything must eventually change and that nothing can remain in its original state forever.
* The passage of time: The poem uses the imagery of dawn giving way to day to emphasize the relentless passage of time.
* Loss and grief: The poem suggests that the loss of beauty and innocence is a natural part of life.
Analysis:
The poem's simple language and clear imagery make it easy to understand, but it is also rich in meaning. The poem's message is one that resonates with many people: that beauty and youth are fleeting and that life is a constant cycle of change.
It's worth noting that the poem's title, "Nothing Gold Can Stay," is also a bit of a riddle. While the poem clearly states that nothing gold can stay, it also suggests that gold is the most desirable state of things. This paradox highlights the bittersweet nature of life and the inevitability of loss.