Summaries & Metaphors

Time, You Old Gypsy Man

Ralph Hodgson

Time, You Old Gypsy Man

Will you not stay,
Put up your caravan
Just for one day?
All things I'll give you
Will you be my guest,
Bells for your jennet
Of silver the best,
Goldsmiths shall beat you
A great golden ring,
Peacocks shall bow to you,
Little boys sing.
Oh, and sweet girls will
Festoon you with may,
Time, you old gypsy,
Why hasten away?

Summary: In this enchanting poem, the speaker addresses Time as an ancient

wanderer—a mystical gypsy. They implore Time to pause its relentless journey
and stay just for a day. The speaker offers treasures: bells for Time’s horse, the
finest silver, a golden ring crafted by skilled goldsmiths, and even the reverence
of peacocks and the sweet songs of little boys and girls. Ultimately, the plea is a
lament—a desire to hold onto fleeting moments and delay Time’s inexorable
passage. That poetry often invites us to ponder life’s mysteries and embrace
the beauty of impermanence.
Metaphor:
1. Time as an Old Gypsy Man: The speaker addresses Time as an ancient
wanderer—a mysterious figure who travels with a caravan. This
 metaphor paints Time as both transient and wise, weaving through our
lives like a nomadic storyteller.
2. The Caravan: The caravan symbolizes the fleeting moments of our lives.
Just for a day, the speaker implores Time to pause its journey and share
its treasures. It’s a longing for a respite from life’s relentless pace.
3. Bells for the Jennet: Jennet refers to a small horse or pony. The bells
represent the sweet sounds of memories and experiences—the jingling
of moments that accompany us on our journey.
4. Goldsmiths and the Golden Ring: Goldsmiths crafting a golden ring
evoke the idea of precious memories and milestones. Perhaps the ring
symbolizes significant events—birthdays, weddings, or achievements—
that Time bestows upon us.
5. Peacocks Bowing: Peacocks, with their extravagant plumage, symbolize
beauty and pride. When they bow to Time, it suggests that even the
most magnificent things acknowledge its authority.
6. Little Boys Singing: Innocence and youth are encapsulated in the image
of little boys singing. Their voices echo the passing of time, celebrating
each fleeting moment.
7. Sweet Girls Festooning with May: May, the month of blossoms,
represents renewal and growth. Sweet girls adorning Time with may
(flowers) imply that even the ephemeral can be adorned with beauty.

Dream
Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Summary: The poem "Hold Fast to Dreams" by Langston Hughes emphasizes
the importance of holding onto dreams. It warns that without dreams, life
becomes bleak and stagnant. Hughes uses metaphors to compare life without
dreams to a broken-winged bird that cannot fly and a barren field frozen with
snow. These images highlight the emptiness and limitations of a life without
aspirations or hope. The poem encourages readers to cling to their dreams as
essential for a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Metaphor:
1. “Hold fast to dreams”: Here, dreams symbolize our ambitions, our inner
yearnings. They’re like delicate treasures we clutch tightly, hoping they’ll
lead us to something better.
2. “For if dreams die”: The fragility of dreams is palpable. When they fade
away or remain unfulfilled, it’s as if a part of us withers. We lose that
sense of purpose and direction.
3. “Life is a broken-winged bird / That cannot fly”: This metaphor paints a
vivid picture. Imagine a bird with a broken wing—it can’t soar, can’t
reach its full potential. Similarly, when dreams are shattered, our lives
become constrained, unable to take flight.
4. “For when dreams go”: The departure of dreams—whether due to
setbacks, disillusionment, or circumstances—leaves an emptiness. It’s
like a field stripped of its harvest, barren and desolate.
5. “Life is a barren field / Frozen with snow”: The barren field covered in
snow evokes a sense of stillness, coldness, and isolation. Without
dreams, life becomes monotonous, lacking color and vitality.

Ode on a Grecian Urn

John Keats

O Attic shape! Fair attitude! with brede

Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say'st,
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."

Summary: This excerpt describes an ancient Greek urn, admired for its timeless
beauty and the images of people and nature engraved on it. The urn, silent and
unchanging, evokes deep thoughts, much like the concept of eternity. As
generations pass away, the urn remains, offering comfort with its simple
message: "Beauty is truth, and truth is beauty," which is all humanity needs to
understand.
Metaphor:
1. The Grecian Urn: The urn itself represents art, culture, and permanence.
It’s an ancient artifact, frozen in time, adorned with intricate scenes and
figures. Keats marvels at its enduring beauty, which transcends the
limitations of mortality.
2. “Cold Pastoral”: This phrase is intriguing. It suggests that the scenes
depicted on the urn—whether pastoral landscapes or mythological tales
—are devoid of warmth, emotion, and the messiness of life. They remain
eternally serene, frozen in their idealized forms.
3. “When old age shall this generation waste”: Keats acknowledges the
impermanence of human existence. Generations come and go, but the
urn endures. It becomes a witness to the passage of time, outlasting
individual lives.
4. “Beauty is truth, truth beauty”: Perhaps the most famous line from this
poem. Keats suggests that true beauty lies in timeless forms—whether in
art, nature, or love. And within that beauty, there exists a profound
truth. It’s a philosophical statement that invites contemplation.
 5. “Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know”: Keats leaves us with a
sense of mystery. The urn’s message—beauty and truth—are
fundamental aspects of existence. Beyond that, perhaps there’s no need
for further understanding. It’s a beautifully enigmatic conclusion.

She Walks in Beauty

Lord Byron (George Gordon)

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Summary: This poem, "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron, describes a
woman's serene and captivating beauty. Her appearance is compared to a clear
night sky filled with stars, blending the best qualities of light and darkness. Her
beauty is both graceful and delicate, enhanced by her gentle expression and
pure thoughts. Her calm demeanor and peaceful, innocent heart reflect a life
lived with goodness and inner harmony.
Metaphor:
1. “She walks in beauty, like the night”: The comparison of the woman’s
grace to the night suggests a serene elegance. Just as the night sky can
be both mysterious and calming, so too is her presence.
2. “Of cloudless climes and starry skies”: The cloudless sky represents
clarity and purity, while the starry skies evoke wonder and brilliance.
Together, they symbolize the woman’s flawless beauty.
3. “All that’s best of dark and bright”: Here, Byron blends opposites—the
dark and the bright—to emphasize her balanced allure. It’s as if she
embodies the best of both worlds.
4. “One shade the more, one ray the less”: This line speaks to the delicate
balance in her features. Too much or too little—either would diminish
her unique charm.
5. “Waves in every raven tress”: Her hair, like raven feathers, flows
gracefully. The waves symbolize movement and fluidity, enhancing her
overall beauty.
6. “Softly lightens o’er her face”: The gentle illumination on her face
suggests an inner radiance. It’s not a harsh light but a soft glow,
emphasizing her serenity.
7. “Thoughts serenely sweet express”: Her thoughts are sweet and serene,
reflecting a calm and kind disposition. It’s as if her inner beauty shines
outward.
8. “A mind at peace with all below”: Beyond physical beauty, Byron hints
at her inner tranquility. Her mind is harmonious, untroubled by worldly
concerns.
 9. “A heart whose love is innocent”: Finally, the innocence of her heart—
the purity of her emotions—adds depth to her beauty. It’s not just about
aesthetics; it’s about her character.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.

Summary: Emily Dickinson's poem "Hope is the thing with feathers" compares
hope to a bird that lives in the soul. It sings continuously, even through difficult
times, offering comfort without asking for anything in return. Even in the
harshest conditions, hope remains resilient, and its presence provides warmth
and strength.
Metaphor:
1. “Hope” as a Bird: The central metaphor here is that hope is like a bird—a
delicate, feathered creature that perches in our souls. Just as a bird flits
about, hope is ever-present, fluttering within us. It’s a comforting
thought, isn’t it? Even during our darkest moments, hope remains.
2. Singing Without Words: Dickinson describes hope as singing a tune
without words. This suggests that hope doesn’t need explicit expression;
it exists silently but powerfully. Even when we can’t articulate our
feelings, hope continues to resonate within us.
3. Unyielding Persistence: The line “And never stops - at all” emphasizes
hope’s unwavering nature. It persists through trials, storms, and
challenges. No matter how fierce the gale, hope endures.
4. Sweetest in Adversity: The second stanza introduces the idea that hope
is sweetest during difficult times. When life’s storms rage (the
metaphorical “Gale”), hope’s song becomes even more poignant. It’s a
reminder that hope shines brightest when contrasted against adversity.
5. The Little Bird: The image of the “little Bird” evokes vulnerability. Despite
its smallness, this bird—our hope—warms us. It’s a powerful symbol of
resilience in the face of hardship.
6. Hope’s Modesty: The final stanza suggests that hope doesn’t demand
anything from us. It doesn’t ask for payment or acknowledgment. It
simply exists, quietly sustaining us.