State the theme of the poem. Give at least one example of a

Question

sentence from the poem that develops the poem’s theme. In a short sentence
I sit beside the fire and think of all that I have seen,
of meadow-flowers and butterflies in summers that have been;
Of yellow leaves and gossamer in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun and wind upon my hair.
5 I sit beside the fire and think of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring that I shall ever see.
For still there are so many things that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring there is a different green.
I sit beside the fire and think of people long ago,
10 and people who will see a world that I shall never know.
But all the while I sit and think of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.

Answer 1

The theme of the poem revolves around reflection on the passage of time and the interplay between memory, loss, and the anticipation of an uncertain future. The speaker contemplates their experiences and the beauty of the past while also acknowledging the inevitability of change and the things they will never witness.

An example of a sentence from the poem that develops this theme is: "For still there are so many things that I have never seen." This line encapsulates the sense of longing and the awareness of missed experiences, contributing to the overall tone of reflection and introspection.