Poem 6 — 100 Days of Poetry
About the Poem:
John Keats' When I have fears that I may cease to be is one of his most personal sonnets, written in 1818 as a reflection on mortality, creativity, and the fear of an unfulfilled life. The sonnet explores the universal anxiety of dying young, before fully realizing one’s potential and experiencing love. Through vivid imagery, Keats expresses a deep longing for both creative and personal fulfilment, making this poem a haunting meditation on the fleeting nature of life.
Keats (1795–1821) is considered one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, and his work continues to resonate with readers today. When I have fears captures his fears of leaving behind an unfinished legacy, a sentiment that touches us all.
When I have fears that I may cease to be by John Keats
When I have fears that I may cease to be
Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,
Before high-pilèd books, in charactery,
Hold like rich garners the full ripened grain;
When I behold, upon the night’s starred face,
Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance,
And think that I may never live to trace
Their shadows with the magic hand of chance;
And when I feel, fair creature of an hour,
That I shall never look upon thee more,
Never have relish in the faery power
Of unreflecting love—then on the shore
Of the wide world I stand alone, and think
Till love and fame to nothingness do sink.
My Reflections on the Poem:
Recording this sonnet was a deeply moving experience. Keats' words resonate with anyone who has ever feared they might leave this world with their ambitions unfulfilled. His mastery of language makes the sonnet not just a personal reflection, but a universal expression of the human condition.
This post is part of my 100 Days of Poetry series, where I embarked on a journey to record and share 100 poems over 100 days in 2017. Although the series was interrupted, I’m delighted to continue sharing these timeless works with you.
