Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow —
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand —
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep — while I weep!
O God! Can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?
I rarely find that questions arise from my inner self after reading a poem, but A dream within a dream written by Edgar Allan Poe made me question my lifes purpose as soon as I had read the final sentence. As deep as that may sound its true, for this poem holds some very powerful messages. The poem has a rather grim tone and discusses some things that most people tend to steer away from. That being death. Even though its a dark poem I found beauty within, for it’s a poem that leaves one questioning many things. I cannot summarize what the poem is about other than what I believe its about because A Dream Within A Dream is a bit like art. Different people will take away a different message from it and for me that’s the beauty of this poem. What I believe this poem is depicting is the reality of how time is passing away and there is nothing we can do about the inevitable end that all humans face.
There is no denying that death is inevitable and when said like everything sounds rather miserable. Even so life is filled with so many joys that it becomes easy to brush of this truth. Death is something one mustn’t dwell on as it easy to find yourself becoming absorbed in a world of negativity. This poem resembles the reality we all face in life but that doesn’t mean one must surround themselves in these realities. We all face death regardless to the quality of life we live but that doesn’t stop us from living. I believe its important people must live a life of fulfillment in which they set and achieve their ambitions. Time is always ticking by and for some they are unable to grasp onto the time they have and put it to good use, whilst others can achieve extraordinary things with their time. I find this line from the poem, ‘And I hold within my hand, Grains of the golden sand’ reiterates this idea as it is referring to the sand in what I believe is time. Its as if the poet is saying that he is aware he controls his time on earth and its up to him how he uses it. By controlling time I do not mean he can control the time continuation but what he chose to do with his time. The author makes its out like time is a personal belonging that is only effected by what he does with it. This concept stuck with me after reading the poem as it made me feel motivated and empowered with the sense that my time on earth is only as good as what I make of it. How does one chose to spend their precious time, their ‘grains of golden sand’. Life and time. I find that they are the same thing intertwined into ones purpose.
I believe ones purpose is dependent on how willing someone is to take action towards their aspirations. I believe this is why the author is saying that time is created in the imagination. Time is not a physical thing but merely something we human beings have created for the sake of systems, measurement and security but this poem takes it out of the context and puts it into a philosophical perspective. When someone becomes aware of time and sees that they are not controlled by it but are the one who is in control of their time amazing things can be achieved. However its up to you how you perceive time and I cannot be the answer to how you do so. What I can do is recommend you read this poem and take some time to think about its contents for yourself. You may find a positive message buried inside the poems discreet writing or perhaps you’ll be left with a negative outlook on life or maybe nothing at all. What I believe is important to do after reading this poem is to take some time in thinking about the poem and any questions that arise. For people with more philosophical minds I can guarantee you will question about the greater image of life after reading A Dream Within A Dream.ezdXD