Analysis of "I can wade Grief"

The central theme of this poem ceners around the fact that happiness can oftentimes be the downfall of a person, no matter how strong they are.

The first stanza of the poem especially exhibits this notion by stating that "the least push of Joy breaks up my feet." The reader takes this statement to mean that the speaker trudges along quite well through pools of Grief but when she encounters Joy, she stumbles and falls. She begs the pebbles to not mock her as she falls and she actually blames her fall on the happiness she experienced. She even calls it "the New Liquor," thus comparing happiness to an inhibitory type of drink.

In the second stanza, the speaker discusses how "power is only pain." This shows the reader that power is only obtainable after an individual has experienced true pain that is isolated "thro' Discipline" and thereafter used as a "weight" (as in a workout weight) until that person is strong enough to withstand the pain. The speaker also says that if you "give Balm- to Giants they'll wilt, like Men," meaning if one allows those who are already strong to experience happiness, then they become weak like normal men and will therefore be unable to be giants any longer. However, if one gives a man "Himmaleh," referring to the Himalayan Mountains, then he will rise to the challenge and succeed.

This poem made me think of my own childhood, honestly. When I was put through terrible and difficult things, I had to rise to the challenge and essentially grow up at a young age. However, when I was exposed once more to happier times, I was able to revert to some childhood ways and experience a childhood.