Nearing Forty

Derek Walcott

Line by Line Analysis and Literary Devices in the poem Nearing Forty

[for John Figueroa]

The irregular combination of fanciful invention may delight awhile by that novelty of which the common satiety of life sends us all in quest. But the pleasures of sudden wonder are soon exhausted and the mind can only repose on the stability of truth…
—Samuel Johnson

Insomniac since four, hearing this narrow,
rigidly metred, early-rising rain
recounting, as its coolness numbs the marrow,
that I am nearing forty, nearer the weak

• early-rising rain – personification; the rain is given the human quality of rising-early like a person; signifies the approach of dawn and signifies the passage of time as the speaker is “nearing forty”

The first line refers to insomnia or a form of sleep disorder that affected the poet since the age of four suggesting a long-term struggle with sleeplessness. As he lies awake, the pattering sound of the rain in the poem takes on a “narrow, rigidly metered” quality, implying a repetitive and almost mechanical pattern. It is a reminder of the time gradually slipping away and a reminder to the poet that he is approaching the milestone of turning forty. The rigidly metered rain can also be seen as a contrast to the earlier “fanciful invention” mentioned in the epigraph, highlighting the shift in the poet’s perspective from the novelty of youth to a more measured and introspective outlook in middle age.

The rain’s coolness numbs the physical senses and carries a metaphorical meaning. It can feel emotionally affecting and remind us of the inevitable aging process. The gentle, rhythmic nature of the rain prompts reflection on the past and contemplation of what lies ahead.

These lines set the stage for the deeper exploration of aging, disillusionment, and the pursuit of truth that the poem delves into, as the speaker contemplates the impact of time on their life and creativity.

that I am nearing forty, nearer the weak
vision thickening to a frosted pane,
nearer the day when I may judge my work
by the bleak modesty of middle age

• vision thickening to a frosted pane – the poet’s vision is metaphorically compared to a frosted pane which suggests blurring of vision due to age or the loss of clarity or imagination due to age.

The lines, “nearer the weak / vision thickening to a frosted pane,” vividly depict the diminishing clarity of the speaker’s eyesight, which might also symbolize imaginative vision, associated with old age.

The phrase “the bleak modesty of middle age” suggests that as the poet nears middle age, they foresee a time when they will assess their own work from the perspective of middle-aged maturity and the judgment will be characterized by a sober and honest evaluation, free from the excessive idealism of youth.

as a false dawn, fireless and average,
which would be just, because your life bled for
the household truth, the style past metaphor

As the poet explores his creative works from the middle-aged mature perspective, he recognizes that it lacks the brilliance he hoped to achieve. Therefore, he uses the phrases “false dawn“, and “fireless and average” to indicate a lack of passionate intensity.

The poet appears to recognize that during their younger years, he had a fascination with conveying the ordinary realities of everyday life using a language that avoided figurative expressions and emphasized sincerity. The poem’s examination of the process of aging and artistic development is highlighted through this self-reflection and acknowledgment of their evolution as an artist as they approach middle age.

the household truth, the style past metaphor
that finds its parallel however wretched
plain as a bleaching bedsheet under a gutter-
ing rainspout, glad for the sputter
of occasional insight; you who foresaw

• “bleaching bedsheet” – a metaphor to illustrate the simplicity and unadorned nature of the poet’s approach to poetry.

The speaker elaborates on the poetic style by comparing it to a bedsheet being bleached under a rain gutter. This imagery represents how occasional moments of inspiration or insight add richness to the otherwise plain and simple verse. Despite these moments seeming insignificant or modest, they bring joy and satisfaction to the poet. The rain gutter dripping water onto the bedsheet serves as a symbol for these moments of insight.

ambition as a searing meteor
will fumble a damp match and, smiling, settle
for the dry wheezing of a dented kettle,
for vision narrower than a louvre’s gap,

• ambition as a searing meteor – simile; a meteor represents the speaker’s youthful and ambitious aspirations that burn brightly with passion and intensity.
• fumble a damp match – This imagery conveys a shift from grand ambitions to a more grounded and measured approach.
• louvre’s gap – A “slit” or “opening” in a window or door suggests a limited perspective, influenced by time, experiences, and priorities.

The line “you who foresaw ambition as a searing meteor” refers to the speaker’s perspective on ambition. He compares ambition to a “searing meteor,” which suggests a brilliant and intense burst of energy and potential. The metaphor of “fumbling a damp match” implies a loss of that initial fiery ambition. The addressed figure, perhaps as they age, encounters challenges or setbacks that dampen their once intense drive. However, they respond to these challenges with acceptance and a sense of contentment, symbolized by the act of “settling for the dry wheezing of a dented kettle.” The “dented kettle” represents a humbler and less glamorous instrument, but one that continues to serve a practical purpose. The “louvre’s gap” refers to the addressed figure’s vision, which once expansive like a searing meteor, has become more focused and restrained, akin to peering through a narrow aperture.

then, watching your leaves thin, recall how deep
prodigious cynicism plants its seed,
gauges our seasons by this year’s end rain
which, as greenhorns at school, we’d
call conventional for convectional;

In the line “then, watching your leaves thin, recall how deep prodigious cynicism plants its seed” the poet describes observing how his physique changed as he aged. He uses the metaphor of “watching your leaves thin” to analogize his body’s as well as mind’s aging process to the gradual shedding of leaves from a tree as winter draws near, suggesting the gradual diminishing of vibrancy and vitality of youth. As the speaker ages, he becomes more aware of the growth of “prodigious cynicism” that has rooted itself in his mind influencing the speaker’s perspective and worldview. The speaker’s growing cynicism leads him to evaluate the passing of time (“our seasons“) based on the rain that falls at the end of each year. The poem digresses to a reminiscence of the poet’s earlier years. The phrase “greenhorns at school” refers to their youthful, inexperienced selves. The speaker recalls how, in his youth, he would dismiss the rain that falls at year’s end as “conventional for convectional.” Here, “conventional” suggests ordinary or expected, while “convectional” likely refers to convectional rainfall—a type of rainfall caused by the heating of the Earth’s surface. This contrast in viewpoints highlights the evolution of knowledge and perception over time.

or you will rise and set your lines to work
with sadder joy but steadier elation,
until the night when you can really sleep,
measuring how imagination

The speaker in the line “or you will rise and set your lines to work with sadder joy but steadier elation” portrays a situation where one can opt to react differently to the obstacles and transformations that come with getting older. The speaker could “rise and set” their creative lines to work instead of succumbing to cynicism. While there might be a “sadder joy” due to life’s complexities and limitations, there is also a “steadier elation,” suggesting a more deeper and long-lasting sense of fulfillment. “Until the night when you can really sleep” could be an expression of the poet’s desire for a time when he can find restful sleep, both literally and metaphorically. It might signify hope for a period of tranquility and peaceful rest, suggesting a sense of resolution.

ebbs, conventional as any water clerk
who weighs the force of lightly falling rain,
which, as the new moon moves it, does its work
even when it seems to weep.

The phrase “measuring how imagination ebbs” suggests reflection on how one’s capacity for imagination changes over time. The phrase “conventional as any water clerk” suggests that creativity may become more ordinary with age, aligning with earlier imagery of the “dented kettle” and “water clerk” weighing rain. The comparison to a “water clerk” is extended further by emphasizing the act of “weighing the force of lightly falling rain.” This visual representation strengthens the notion of analyzing and appraising the nuances of artistic inspiration. The phrase “as the new moon moves it” suggests that creative inspiration persists through changing circumstances. The new moon, which is constantly transitioning and renewing itself in the lunar cycle, is used as a metaphor for the evolving nature of creative energy. The poem concludes by stating that even when creative inspiration appears subdued or emotionally charged, it continues to serve its purpose by enriching the creative process and contributing to the artist’s expression.