Question

\(\textbf{Poem 1}\)
Sometimes I feel all thin inside
Insufficient, small;
I feel when people look at me,
They don't see me at all.
I feel that all my beauty's lost
On cold, indifferent eyes
And offering what I want to give
Would only be unwise.
But then a friend will greet me.
And my inner life will bloom
It only takes but one kind word
To sweep away the gloom!
What is this poem about?

Hint:

To find the theme of a poem, look for a "turn" or a change in mood. Here, the word "But" signals the shift from sadness to happiness, revealing the central message about friendship's importance.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the main theme or subject of the poem.

Step 2: Analyzing the Poem's Structure:
The poem has two distinct parts.
- Part 1 (Stanzas 1 & 2): The poet describes negative feelings of being small, insufficient, unseen, and unappreciated by others. This section focuses on insecurity and loneliness.
- Part 2 (Stanza 3): The mood shifts dramatically. A friend's "one kind word" is powerful enough to make the poet's "inner life bloom" and "sweep away the gloom." This section focuses on the positive impact of friendship.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The poem is about the internal struggle with feelings of low self-worth and invisibility, and how these feelings can be instantly healed by a simple act of kindness from a friend. It highlights the contrast between feeling lost in an indifferent world and being found by a caring friend.