He is Eighty two and four:
Very young with indistinct vitality in the eye and mind
Still commanding to listen Him
Sitting in the coach the entire day in silence.
This stanza introduces an elderly man, 84 years old, yet described paradoxically as "very young" due to the lingering vitality in his eyes and mind. Despite his silence and physical stillness, there's an undeniable presence and authority in him that silently commands attention and respect. The "coach" symbolizes physical inactivity, perhaps due to age, but his mind remains alert and youthful.
He sees the things other do not perceive.Frequently pointing to the ground naming ant, fly and other kindExpecting others to chase them awayTightens the fists with eternal strength.
The stanza portrays his heightened mental awareness. He perceives small details like ants and flies—things most would ignore. His gestures and reactions, such as pointing and tightening his fists, suggest both frustration and retained inner strength. It reflects a disconnect between his mental clarity and physical incapacity or others’ inability to understand his world.
He talks to himself even in seclusion.He seems to hold bundle of old storiesWilling to pour down into the empty mind of open-eyed blindThe stories vanish in the air and extinguish where.
This stanza emphasizes his loneliness and introspection. He converses with himself, carrying a treasury of stories and experiences that he yearns to share. Yet his audience—perhaps the younger generation—are "open-eyed blind," unable or unwilling to understand or listen. His wisdom and stories dissolve into oblivion, unheard and unpreserved.
He looks into himself in deep contemplation.Outcries for help to get up and down, overflows the anguishes in windGroans with fear of not getting hand in urgent call of natureThe body is defying juvenile psyche, all vivacity and authorityThat obscures the supremacy of mind.
Here, the poet reveals the agony of the physical body in contrast with the still-vibrant mind. The old man is introspective but also helpless, crying out for physical assistance. He groans in fear of being left helpless during basic needs. His once-powerful body now betrays his still-youthful mind. The fading physical strength diminishes his authority, highlighting how bodily decline can overshadow mental brilliance.
Detailed Summary:
"The Supremacy of Mind" is a moving poem that reflects on the paradox of aging. The poem centers around an 84-year-old man who retains mental clarity and strength, yet his physical body has grown frail and unresponsive. Despite the fading physical faculties, the man’s mind is sharp, observant, and filled with stories and reflections.
The poet highlights the disconnect between the inner world of the aged and the external world that often ignores or misunderstands them. The elderly man is depicted as someone with wisdom and strength hidden behind a veil of physical weakness and silence. His mental vitality remains “commanding,” but his stories, emotions, and pleas are often lost in the air, unreceived.
The final stanza reveals a tragic irony—though the mind remains superior in strength, the failing body dims its impact. This deeply human tension between body and mind is at the heart of the poem.
Critical Reflection
This poem is both a tribute and a lament. It is a tribute to the resilience and dignity of the human mind even in the face of aging and a lament for how society often fails to recognize the value of elderly individuals.
The central theme—the supremacy of mind over body—is delicately explored through vivid imagery and emotional tension. Tikaram Sapkota juxtaposes the inner vitality of an aged individual with the outer decline, shedding light on the tragedy of old age where the wisdom of the mind is often disregarded due to physical frailty.
Stylistically, the poem is rich in metaphor and pathos. The poet’s use of simple language carries deep philosophical undertones. The poem also critiques societal apathy toward the elderly, especially the dismissal of their inner lives.
The final line is particularly powerful:
"That obscures the supremacy of mind."
It is a poignant reminder that true value lies not in physical strength, but in mental and spiritual richness—something society must strive to acknowledge and honor.
Literary Elements
The poem "The Supremacy of Mind" by Tikaram Sapkota is rich in literary elements that enhance its emotional depth and philosophical meaning. Here are the key literary elements used in the poem along with explanations:
1. Imagery
Definition: Use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses.
Examples:
“Pointing to the ground naming ant, fly and other kind” – evokes visual imagery.
“Groans with fear of not getting hand in urgent call of nature” – evokes auditory and tactile imagery.
Effect: Brings the reader closer to the lived experience of the elderly man, making his world more vivid and tangible.
2. Irony
Definition: A contrast between appearance and reality.
Example:
“He is Eighty two and four: / Very young with indistinct vitality” – it is ironic to describe someone aged 84 as "very young."
Effect: Highlights the contradiction between physical aging and mental youthfulness, reinforcing the poem’s central theme.
3. Personification
Definition: Giving human qualities to non-human things.
Example:
“The stories vanish in the air and extinguish where” – stories are given the ability to "vanish" and "extinguish."
Effect: Emphasizes the fading presence of the old man’s legacy and wisdom, which go unheard and unvalued.
4. Symbolism
Definition: Use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities.
Examples:
“Coach” – symbolizes physical confinement or a wheelchair.
“Open-eyed blind” – symbolizes people who can see but are blind to deeper truths or wisdom.
Effect: Enhances thematic depth, especially the disconnect between the elderly and society.
5. Alliteration
Definition: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
Example:
“He seems to hold bundle of old stories” – the repetition of the “s” and “h” sounds.
Effect: Creates musicality and emphasis on certain phrases, aiding memory and rhythm.
6. Enjambment
Definition: Continuation of a sentence without pause beyond the end of a line.
Example:
“Willing to pour down into the empty mind of open-eyed blind / The stories vanish in the air and extinguish where.”
Effect: Mirrors the flow of thoughts and enhances the poem’s introspective tone.
7. Paradox
Definition: A statement that seems contradictory but reveals a deeper truth.
Example:
“The body is defying juvenile psyche” – the old body contradicts the youthful mind.
Effect: Underscores the central conflict of the poem—the supremacy of the mind vs. the limitations of the body.
8. Tone
Definition: The poet’s attitude toward the subject.
Tone of the poem: Reflective, melancholic, respectful.
Effect: Invites empathy for the elderly and contemplation on the transient nature of physical life.
9. Metaphor
Definition: A direct comparison between two unlike things.
Example:
“The stories vanish in the air” – compares unshared experiences to disappearing air.
Effect: Illustrates the fleeting nature of memory and the loss of untold wisdom.
These literary elements work together to convey a poignant reflection on aging, wisdom, and the undervalued power of the mind in old age.