Walking Away (Cecil Day-Lewis)

Walking Away by Cecil Day-Lewis is a poignant poem that reflects on the experience of a parent watching their child grow up and become increasingly independent. The poem uses the metaphor of a father watching his son walk away from him on his first day of school as a symbol of the inevitable separation that occurs as children mature and forge their own paths in life. Day-Lewis captures the bittersweet emotions of pride, love, and a sense of loss that accompany this moment of transition. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

Walking Away by Cecil Day-Lewis

It is eighteen years ago, almost to the day –

A sunny day with leaves just turning,

The touch-lines new-ruled – since I watched you play

Your first game of football, then, like a satellite

Wrenched from its orbit, go drifting away

Behind a scatter of boys. I can see

You walking away from me towards the school

With the pathos of a half-fledged thing set free

Into a wilderness, the gait of one

Who finds no path where the path should be.

That hesitant figure, eddying away

Like a winged seed loosened from its parent stem,

Has something I never quite grasp to convey

About nature’s give-and-take – the small, the scorching

Ordeals which fire one’s irresolute clay.

I have had worse partings, but none that so

Gnaws at my mind still. Perhaps it is roughly

Saying what God alone could perfectly show –

How selfhood begins with a walking away,

And love is proved in the letting go.

Analysis:

Title Significance:

The title "Walking Away" immediately sets the theme of the poem, suggesting a sense of departure and separation. It evokes the image of a child taking their first steps towards independence, away from the protective embrace of their parent.

Themes:

Love and Parenthood: The poem explores the complex emotions experienced by parents as they witness their child's journey towards independence. It portrays the depth of a parent's love and the inevitable sense of loss that accompanies the process of letting go.

Loss and Separation: The poem reflects on the theme of loss, as the parent grapples with the realisation that their child is growing up and moving away from them. The act of "walking away" symbolises the gradual separation that occurs as children become increasingly independent.

Time and Change: "Walking Away" also touches upon the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The poem highlights the transient nature of childhood and the need to embrace each moment before it slips away.

Structure and Form:

The poem consists of three stanzas of equal length, each containing four lines. This regular structure contributes to the poem's sense of balance and symmetry.

Day-Lewis employs a conversational tone and simple language, allowing the reader to empathise with the speaker's emotional journey.

The poem follows a free verse form, with no strict rhyme scheme or meter, reflecting the organic flow of the speaker's thoughts and emotions.

Imagery and Symbolism:

Walking Away: The act of "walking away" serves as a powerful metaphor for the process of separation and independence. It represents the child's gradual journey towards adulthood and the parent's struggle to let go.

Autumn: The imagery of autumn in the final stanza symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitability of change. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and melancholy as the parent reflects on the fleeting nature of childhood.

Language and Tone:

Day-Lewis's use of language is simple yet evocative, allowing the reader to connect with the speaker's emotions on a visceral level.

The tone of the poem is reflective and contemplative, as the speaker grapples with the conflicting emotions of pride and sorrow that accompany the experience of watching their child grow up.

Key Quotations:

"It is eighteen years ago, almost to the day – / A sunny day with leaves just turning,"

"How selfhood begins with a walking away,"

"Love is proved in the letting go."

Conclusion:

Walking Away by Cecil Day-Lewis is a poignant exploration of love, parenthood, and the inevitable process of separation and independence. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt language, Day-Lewis captures the bittersweet emotions experienced by parents as they watch their children take their first steps towards adulthood. The poem serves as a reminder of the enduring bond between parent and child, even as they embark on separate journeys in life.

You can find analysis of all the Love and Relationships Poetry Anthology Poems here.