Write a poem on your own on the theme of 'A psalm of life'.
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Answer:
A Psalm of Life" was written by the famed New England poet and professor Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. First published in 1838 in the New York literary magazine The Knickerbocker, the poem was inspired by a conversation between Longfellow and a fellow professor. As such, the poem is framed as a dramatic monologue spoken by the "Heart of a Young Man" to a "Psalmist." In the poem, the speaker declares that living in the present is more godly than the kind of austere and restrained life the Psalmist champions. In doing so, the poem captures the spirit of carpe diem, or "seize the day."
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“A Psalm of Life” Summary
The subtitle frames the poem as a dramatic monologue spoken by a young man's heart to a composer of Biblical psalms.
First, the speaker begs the psalmist not to sing to him in numerous, sorrowful ways about how life is empty and unreal. In the speaker's opinion, the soul that passively experiences life is essentially dead. Moreover, one shouldn't assume that life is merely how it seems from a certain Christian perspective—that it's just a precursor to eternal life after death.
Life, the speaker demands, is very much real and full of meaning. Life, the speaker adds, is sincere and intense. The meaning of life is not simply death. The Christian saying of "dust to dust," which states that humans come from the earth—or "dust"—and return to dust upon death, only refers to the body and not the soul—so the soul should be full of life.
It is not indulgence or misery that should be humanity's destiny or goal. Rather, the speaker declares, humans should act in such a manner that creates progress day by day.
Acts and products of human creativity last a long time; however, time passes quickly. While human hearts may be strong and courageous, nevertheless they beat like quieted drums within bodies. Ultimately, with each beat, they bring humans closer to their death. Therefore, the songs these hearts produce are like funeral marches.
The speaker then compares the world to a great battlefield. Life, he adds, is like a temporary camp without shelter. Therefore, the speaker commands, don't be like silent cattle who are herded about. Rather, be a hero amidst the conflict of life.
Don't place any certainty, the speaker advises, in the future, no matter how positive the future may seem. Additionally, don't dwell on the past. Rather, the speaker suggests, one should live in the present, wholeheartedly and in plain view of God who watches approvingly above in Heaven.
The way that great men have lived their lives inspires and reminds other individuals to consciously live in a godly and spiritual manner. Moreover, the speaker adds, when these individuals die, they will leave traces of their lives behind.
These remnants and memories of godly and spiritual lives can go on to inspire others who might also be progressing over the great ocean of life. These other individuals might feel miserable, abandoned, and lost in this ocean. However, upon seeing examples of godly and spiritual lives, they will be inspired and saved.
Therefore, all of humanity, the speaker advises, should seize the day. Moreover, they must live life wholeheartedly and fearlessly. While making progress and seeking improvement, humans will learn to struggle and apply themselves, as well as have patience.