When I am old
I will not have you look apart
From me, into the cold,
Friend of my heart,
Nor be sad in your remembrance
Of the careless, mad-heart semblance
That the wind hath blown away
When I am old.

When I am old
And the white hot wonder-fire
Unto the world seem cold,
My soul’s desire
Know you then that all life’s shower,
The rain of the years, that hour
Shall make blow for us one flower,
Including all, when we are old.

When I am old
If you remember
Any love save what is then
Hearth light unto life’s December
Be your joy of past sweet chalices
To know then naught but this
“How many wonders are less sweet
Than love I bear to thee
When I am old.”

Analysis, meaning and summary of Ezra Pound's poem In Tempore Senectutis

1 Comment

  1. Sheryl Skoglund says:

    When I am old
    I will not have you look apart
    From me, into the cold,
    Friend of my heart,
    “How many wonders are less sweet
    Than love I bear to thee
    When I am old.” Such a beautiful poem of love.

Leave a Reply to Sheryl Skoglund Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Do you have any comments, criticism, paraphrasis or analysis of this poem that you feel would assist other visitors in understanding the meaning or the theme of this poem by Ezra Pound better? If accepted, your analysis will be added to this page of American Poems. Together we can build a wealth of information, but it will take some discipline and determination.