TODAY
A Poem
By Thomas Carlyle
Thomas
Carlyle (1795-1881) was a Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher. “Today”
is one of his rare poems. In his book “On Heroes, Hero-Worship and The Heroic
in History,” he discusses the concept of the hero as a poet, focusing on the extensive
impact of poets like the Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) and the
English poet William Shakespeare (1564-1616). He regards poets of their stature
as leaders who are capable of inspiring people to realize their fullest potential and enable
them to strive for higher ideals.
The
poem “Today” reflects the regrettable nature of human beings for not using the
present time as creatively as they should. They put off till tomorrow what they
can and should do today. It the present time which is the real time available
to humans.
In
one of his favourite songs, even “today” means this current moment not some future moment in the remaining part of the day.
According
to a literary critic Carlyle’s poem “Today” is a call to seize the day and make
the most of every moment. As time has a fleeting nature, it should not be
allowed to slip away because every “Today”
is a piece of continuous cycle of time, and each new day is born from eternity
and returns to it at night.
Here
is the full poem:
So here hath been dawning
Another blue day:
Think, wilt thou let it
Slip useless away?
Out of Eternity
This new day was born;
Into Eternity,
At night, will return.
Behold it aforetime
No eye ever did;
So soon it forever
From all eyes is hid.
Here hath been dawning
Another blue day:
Think, wilt thou let it
Slip useless away.
*******
G.R.Kanwal
6th July 2025
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