No, what I should really like to do right now, in the full blaze

Listen closely to the words of Knut Hamsun, whose longing for the vitality and passion of youth shines through in his reflection: “No, what I should really like to do right now, in the full blaze of lights, before this illustrious assembly, is to shower every one of you with gifts, with flowers, with offerings of poetry—to be young once more, to ride on the crest of the wave.” Here, Hamsun speaks not only of a desire to relive youth, but of the immense power of poetry as a gift—an offering to those who listen, to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. His words are suffused with a longing for the vibrancy and passion of youth, for that exhilarating feeling of riding life’s wave at its peak, when everything seems possible and full of promise.

In these words, Hamsun echoes the sentiments of the ancients, who also understood the fleeting nature of youth and the intense fire that burns within it. Consider the words of Homer in the Iliad, where the warriors are described as young men in their prime, living for glory and battle, driven by the fire of life and the pursuit of honor. To them, youth was not simply a time of life; it was the time of greatest potential, when a man could achieve greatness and carve his name into the annals of history. But as Homer also knew, youth is fleeting, and with it comes the inevitable passage of time. Hamsun’s longing for youth, then, is not just about the physical vigor it brings, but about the possibilities and freedom it represents.

Hamsun, in his desire to “shower” his audience with gifts of poetry, speaks to the immense power of the written word as both a means of connection and offering. The poet, like a youthful hero riding the wave of life, has the unique ability to capture and channel the energy of the world around them, to express it in ways that resonate deeply with others. In offering poetry to the world, the poet gives a gift that transcends the individual self, a gift that can inspire, provoke, and uplift. This is what Hamsun yearns for—to share in the act of creation, to offer the world his own passion, to be swept up in the moment of artistic creation, much like the youthful exuberance of the warriors of old, who would leave their mark on the world.

Think of the great poets who have come before Hamsun, who too longed to offer their art to the world with a sense of youthful vigor. William Wordsworth, in his Prelude, speaks of the power of poetry to elevate the spirit and ignite the soul. Wordsworth too, sought to be in tune with the natural world, to capture the intense feelings of youth and the glory of life’s fleeting moments. His work was an offering, a way to immortalize the emotions and experiences of a world that constantly changes. Like Hamsun, he was swept away by the energy of life, seeking to express its richness through the gift of poetry.

In the same vein, Sylvia Plath also captured the essence of youthful intensity in her poetry, though her experience was tinged with the darker sides of life. Her work, filled with both beauty and anguish, reveals the fierce and often tumultuous nature of the creative spirit. Plath’s poetry was her offering to the world—a way to channel her personal struggles and triumphs, a way to give voice to the very fire that burned within her. Hamsun’s yearning to offer his poetry in the blaze of light before an audience can be seen as a desire to connect with others, to share in the deep emotional resonance that poetry offers, and to immortalize the fleeting moments of life that so often slip away unnoticed.

Yet, Hamsun’s words also reveal the transitory nature of youth. The phrase “to ride on the crest of the wave” is a powerful image of living in the moment, of being swept up in the energy and promise of life, but it also acknowledges that such moments do not last forever. The wave eventually crashes, and the energy dissipates, leaving only the memory of what once was. It is this recognition that gives his words their poignancy. In his longing for youth, Hamsun reminds us all that the vitality and creativity of youth are not to be taken for granted, for they are fleeting. We must cherish these moments, whether they come in our youth or in our later years, for they are the times when poetry—and life itself—seems most alive.

The lesson here is one of living fully in the moment, of seizing the energy of life and offering it to the world. Whether through poetry, art, or action, we should seek to channel the vigor and passion of youth into whatever we create. But we must also remember the transience of life and the need to appreciate the moments we have. Like poetry, life is most powerful when it captures the full breadth of experience—the highs and the lows, the fleeting moments of beauty, and the timeless truths.

Practical actions follow. As a writer, create with the passion of youth, regardless of your age. Do not wait for the perfect moment to express yourself; instead, embrace the energy of now. Write poetry that is alive with the vitality of the present, and offer it to the world as a gift, as Hamsun would. As a reader, recognize the power of poetry to transport you, to elevate you, and to connect you with something greater. Cherish the moments when a piece of writing moves you, for these moments are as fleeting as youth itself.

Thus, Hamsun’s words remind us of the vitality of creative expression and the ephemeral nature of life. Through the gift of poetry, we can ride the crest of the wave, if only for a moment, before it crashes into the future. Let us cherish those moments of creative brilliance and allow them to propel us forward, always seeking to capture the beauty and passion that life offers in its fleeting moments.