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Poem
January 30, 1849
The Arkansas Banner
Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
A reflective poem addressing the poet's first gray hair as a sign of aging, reviewing life's joys and regrets, and accepting time's passage.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
MY FIRST GRAY HAIR.
So, thou art here, indeed! Well, I declare,
I did not think of seeing thee so soon;
Thou 'rt early, art thou not, my first gray hair?
To give me warning 'tis life's afternoon!
Really, I had no thought, at least as yet,
That I was quite so deep in old Time's debt:
Well, well, he never makes mistakes, though I
Would fain persuade myself that the few years,
Spent to small purpose, would not figure high
In his gray ledger; but, alas! my fears
Tell me he'll not be done by mirth or care:
Behold his check to me—my first gray hair!
But, since thou'rt come, what hast thou brought with thee?
Hast brought me wit? I'm much inclined to doubt it;
Or wisdom, that experience teaches free?
Or wealth—a thing by poets always scouted?
Alas, poor devils! they do well to scoff it—
A silvery head's the largest share they have of it!
Yet I have done some things in my short time
That have been good, and some to be regretted;
Lost friends, gained foes, made love—and, what's worse, rhyme;
For which the world's not much to me indebted.
Nor I to her: although "creation's heir,"
I've got her legacy—my first gray hair!
Well, I'll not pluck thee out, thou first gray thread,
That time has woven in life's checkered woof!
Thou silvery badge that glistens on my head—
Thou type of sorrow, and of age the proof—
Thou 'lt be my monitor; so I'll prepare
To take advice from thee, my first gray hair!
So, thou art here, indeed! Well, I declare,
I did not think of seeing thee so soon;
Thou 'rt early, art thou not, my first gray hair?
To give me warning 'tis life's afternoon!
Really, I had no thought, at least as yet,
That I was quite so deep in old Time's debt:
Well, well, he never makes mistakes, though I
Would fain persuade myself that the few years,
Spent to small purpose, would not figure high
In his gray ledger; but, alas! my fears
Tell me he'll not be done by mirth or care:
Behold his check to me—my first gray hair!
But, since thou'rt come, what hast thou brought with thee?
Hast brought me wit? I'm much inclined to doubt it;
Or wisdom, that experience teaches free?
Or wealth—a thing by poets always scouted?
Alas, poor devils! they do well to scoff it—
A silvery head's the largest share they have of it!
Yet I have done some things in my short time
That have been good, and some to be regretted;
Lost friends, gained foes, made love—and, what's worse, rhyme;
For which the world's not much to me indebted.
Nor I to her: although "creation's heir,"
I've got her legacy—my first gray hair!
Well, I'll not pluck thee out, thou first gray thread,
That time has woven in life's checkered woof!
Thou silvery badge that glistens on my head—
Thou type of sorrow, and of age the proof—
Thou 'lt be my monitor; so I'll prepare
To take advice from thee, my first gray hair!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Death Mourning
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
First Gray Hair
Aging
Passage Of Time
Life Reflection
Personal Monitor
Poem Details
Title
My First Gray Hair.
Subject
Discovery Of The First Gray Hair
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
So, Thou Art Here, Indeed! Well, I Declare,
I Did Not Think Of Seeing Thee So Soon;
Thou 'Rt Early, Art Thou Not, My First Gray Hair?
To Give Me Warning 'Tis Life's Afternoon!
Well, I'll Not Pluck Thee Out, Thou First Gray Thread,