This poem is a paradoxical poem that contains basic truths that appear nonsensical at first glance. These hidden truths can only be unraveled after a close study of the contradictions present in it. This poem is an affirmation of the poet's belief in himself and his abilities after a search for solution or salvation yields no fruit. This discovery rekindles the light of hope in him and he is no longer perturbed.
Stanza 1begins with the poet using his youthfulness to chase irrelevancies which brings no tangible result. He finds himself 'chasing the wild which wanes'. The result is that his apparent blossom is not a lasting one but rather a temporary one as it is 'all but show'. He ends this stanza by declaring that what to him brings pleasure now also brings pains. This is because his youthfulness is spent 'chasing the wild which wanes'.
In stanza 2we are faced with a contradiction in the first line, 'Goodness wears the garment the same as darkness'. This at first glance seems impossible but a further investigation reveals that the poet has realized that there is a thin line between goodness and darkness that if one is not careful, goodness will be mistaken as darkness and darkness as goodness. The poet acknowledges that despite man's hardwork, the barren land makes it difficult. Despite this scenario, it is still only man that can harness 'when none can'. This conclusion has the poet troubled because this realization comes after a misspent youth 'chasing the wild which wanes'. The result is that the poet's eyes are Laden as the sky is large.
The last stanzasees the poet continuing in the journey of life in a mood far different from that of the first stanza. Here there is a peace that is coming from the realization that man's search for hope lies in himself not elsewhere. The implication of this is that the poet's 'sleep is sweet as the mulberry'. The poet is no longer troubled. He now has hope because what he has been seeking lies in him. At this point, the poet becomes happy and pain experienced in his search in stanza 1 is discarded.
In conclusionthis poem is a call for man to believe in himself and not to spend his youth searching for answers and solutions beyond him. It is a call for man to believe in himself and put his abilities to good use. Before the poet realizes this, he had wasted his youth not knowing that what he was searching for was within him. This is therefore a message to all to look within and put one's abilities or talents to good use. Youths are therefore encouraged to make good use of their strength in profitable ventures not to chase 'the wild which wanes'.