The Summer of Tsunami by S. Campbell Williams

These are different elements, but still grounded in familiar and natural details-“sun” and “wind.” As well, both adjectives to describe those natural elements begin with the same “s” sound, which links these ideas in commonality. For Line One, Twain references “summer sun.” In Line Three, a “southern wind” is the aspect noted. Both sets of lines begin with the same word, “Warm,” then journey through a natural element with an adjective. These two lines hold a similar format as the first two. This will be a needed detail to consider while journeying through the rest of ‘ Warm Summer Sun’. It is important to understand that Twain is connecting himself to this time of life by commenting that this “summer sun” should “hine kindly here.” By that last word, “here,” Twain has indicated that for this pair of lines, he is in this specific stage of life.

By placing the first two lines of the poem in the season following spring, Twain has referenced the significance of the after-childhood stage in life, which indicates that he considers this time the most intriguing and exhilarating-as if this is the time when a person truly experiences life at its greatest quality. Anything younger-an age that is too young to permit such independence-would be more akin to spring when plants are just budding.

“ummer,” specifically, can be seen as a representation of the high point of life’s journey where a person is young enough to experience less-hindered mobility but old enough to walk their own steps. On a literal level, this image is beautiful, but there’s more at work within these lines by diving into a metaphoric approach. The reader can understand the “kind” and contentment that Twain exists in right “here,” as the brightness of the world is “hin” upon him. Since he has not wasted a single word within this collection of six, the image remains strong and clear. All Twain has essentially said is that it is “arm” and “summer,” and the “sun” can “hine” in a “kind” manner where he exists. This pair of lines creates a beautiful image in regard to setting, even though scarce information is provided. From beginning to end, though, the beauty of life remains a grounding theme to this poem. The quickness of the poem mimics, as well, the rapid speed that life can take, so underneath the wonder expressed regarding life, there is also the caution to hold to it fully since it can prove fleeting. The wording involved in this representation of life shows that the journey does come with hardships, but it is a beautiful concept. ‘Warm Summer Sun’ by Mark Twain is a poem that expresses the process of aging and life, all the way to life’s final moments.

The Summer of Tsunami by S. Campbell Williams