“Rosebud, knot of worms,”

In this line, the speaker metaphorically compares a newborn baby to a delicate rosebud surrounded by wriggling worms. It conveys the idea of the baby’s vulnerability and fragility at the beginning of life.

“Heir of the first five”

Here, the baby is referred to as the inheritor of the first five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. This suggests the beginning of sensory awareness and perception in the infant.

“Shapers, I open:”

The speaker, possibly the baby or a caregiver, describes the act of opening. This could refer to the baby opening its hands or the caregiver opening something for the baby, signaling the beginning of interaction and exploration.

“Five moony crescents”

This line describes the baby’s eyes as “moony crescents,” indicating their shape and perhaps their brightness, akin to the moon. It suggests the baby’s ability to see and observe its surroundings.

“For eyes to light me”

The speaker implies that the baby’s eyes illuminate or guide its way, helping it perceive and navigate the world around it.

“Toward what I can grab,”

The baby’s gaze is directed towards objects it can reach and grasp, symbolizing its early attempts at interaction and exploration.

“Milk-spout, big finger”

These phrases refer to objects of comfort and nourishment for the baby, such as a bottle (milk-spout) and the caregiver’s finger (big finger), suggesting the baby’s dependence on others for care and sustenance.

“So many ladders”

This line metaphorically describes the baby’s fingers as “ladders,” implying their role in reaching and grasping objects, similar to climbing rungs on a ladder.

“Giving a leg up”

The phrase “giving a leg up” suggests providing assistance or support, indicating how the baby’s fingers help it explore and interact with its environment.

“To these limber hooks.”

The “limber hooks” refer to the baby’s fingers, which are described as flexible and adaptable for grasping objects. It highlights the dexterity and agility of the baby’s hands as it begins to engage with the world.

“I learn, good circus”

The speaker likens themselves to a circus performer, suggesting the idea of learning new skills and abilities in a dynamic and engaging manner.

“Dog that I am, how”

This line further emphasizes the speaker’s role as a learner, comparing themselves to a dog, known for its ability to be trained and learn new tricks.

“To move, serve, steer food,”

The speaker lists various tasks associated with infancy, such as learning to move (crawl or walk), serve (eating or being fed), and steer food (perhaps indicating the development of fine motor skills).

“Index the arrow,”

This phrase suggests the refinement of motor skills, comparing the action of pointing or directing to indexing an arrow, indicating precision and control.

“Thumbhead, blunt helper,”

Here, the speaker refers to their thumb as a “thumbhead,” highlighting its importance as a tool for grasping and manipulation, despite its blunt shape.

“My master’s fetcher,”

The speaker humorously compares themselves to a dog again, describing their role as a “fetcher” for their caregiver, who may be directing or guiding their actions.

“Whipper of itches,”

This phrase suggests the instinctive response to discomfort, such as itching, and the developing awareness of how to address or alleviate such sensations.

“No pocket dozer,”

This line contrasts with the previous descriptions of the baby’s hands as versatile and capable. It suggests that despite their small size, the baby’s hands are not powerful enough to accomplish certain tasks, like bulldozing through obstacles.

“I shut on the key”

This line metaphorically refers to the baby’s hand closing around objects, symbolizing the act of grasping or holding onto something.

“Of this blue-green toy.”

The stanza concludes with a reference to a toy, perhaps indicating the baby’s growing awareness and interaction with objects in its environment. The choice of colors (“blue-green”) adds sensory detail to the imagery, evoking a vivid image of the toy.

“Five-antlered, branching”

The speaker compares their sensory perceptions to antlers, suggesting a branching or spreading out of awareness. The mention of “five” could refer to the five senses, indicating the comprehensive nature of their exploration.

“Touchy antenna,”

This phrase extends the metaphor of sensory exploration, likening the baby’s awareness to that of an antenna, which is sensitive to touch and stimuli.

“I nose out the lay”

The speaker describes the act of exploring or investigating, using the metaphor of “nosing out” like an animal sniffing out its surroundings.

“Of thistle and silk,”

Here, the speaker references different textures or sensations, such as the roughness of thistle and the smoothness of silk, suggesting the variety of experiences encountered in the world.

“Cold pole and hot plate.”

This line further emphasizes the sensory experiences of temperature, contrasting the coldness of a pole with the warmth of a plate, indicating the baby’s awareness of different sensations.

“Old historian,”

The speaker reflects on their role as an observer and recorder of experiences, likening themselves to a historian who chronicles events and sensations.

“My page this desert”

This metaphor suggests the barrenness or emptiness of the baby’s environment, likening it to a desert devoid of stimulation or activity.

“Crossed by three causeways,”

The mention of “three causeways” could symbolize the pathways or avenues through which the baby explores and interacts with its environment, indicating the multiplicity of experiences.

“Leathery, treeless,”

These adjectives further describe the barrenness and desolation of the environment, evoking a sense of dryness and lack of sustenance.

“With five whorled landspits.”

The stanza concludes with a vivid image of “whorled landspits,” possibly representing the baby’s fingers as they explore and touch the world around them. The use of “five” reinforces the motif of the five senses and the baby’s comprehensive engagement with its environment.

“Brown-backed, white-bellied”

Here, the speaker metaphorically compares themselves to a flatfish with a brown back and a white belly, using vivid imagery to evoke the appearance of the infant. This imagery highlights the physical attributes of the baby.

“As a flatfish, I”

The speaker continues the comparison to a flatfish, emphasizing their identification with this aquatic creature. This suggests a sense of fluidity and adaptability in the infant’s experience of navigating their environment.

“Swim the Sea of Do,”

This line extends the aquatic metaphor, portraying the baby’s journey through life as swimming in the “Sea of Do.” The “Sea of Do” could symbolize the vastness and unpredictability of life’s experiences.

“The left my lackey,”

This phrase is ambiguous and open to interpretation. It could suggest that the left side of the body is subservient or inferior, serving as a “lackey” to the dominant right side. Alternatively, it could refer to the left hand as being less coordinated or skilled compared to the right hand.

“My backward image.”

The speaker reflects on their mirrored reflection, viewing themselves as a reversed or mirrored image. This could symbolize the infant’s growing awareness of their own physicality and self-perception.

“Penbearer, scrubnurse,”

These phrases describe the varied roles and functions of the infant’s hands, likening them to tools or instruments used for different purposes. The “penbearer” suggests the potential for creativity or communication, while the “scrubnurse” evokes the idea of cleanliness and care.

“The captain’s batman,”

Here, the speaker compares themselves to a servant or assistant to a captain, highlighting the idea of subservience or obedience in their actions.

“By heart here I hold”

This line suggests the familiarity and intimacy with which the infant holds objects, implying a deep connection or understanding.

“Coin, button, trigger”

These objects represent the variety of items that the infant interacts with, suggesting the range of experiences and stimuli encountered in their environment.

“And his love’s body.”

The stanza concludes with a poignant reflection on the baby’s connection to their caregiver, symbolized by the phrase “his love’s body.” This highlights the importance of human relationships and emotional bonds in shaping the infant’s experience of the world.

“Ill-served he’ll be when”

The speaker begins by reflecting on the future, suggesting that someone (presumably the caregiver or master mentioned earlier) will not be well-served or taken care of in the later stages of life.

“Age manhandles me”

The speaker anticipates the physical toll of aging, using the metaphor of being “manhandled” by time and the effects it has on the body.

“(A crab to nap on”

This phrase is metaphorical, likening the speaker to a crab that naps or rests on the chair arms and tables. It conveys a sense of frailty and vulnerability in old age.

“Five wickless candies

The image of “five wickless candies” suggests a lack of vitality or energy, symbolizing the diminishing vigor and brightness of life in old age.

“To wag at the dark)”

The phrase “to wag at the dark” implies a feeble attempt to ward off the darkness or fear associated with mortality. It speaks to the idea of facing the unknown and inevitable end.

“And worse-served when death”

The speaker acknowledges that even worse than the effects of aging is the inevitability of death, which is portrayed as a final and irrevocable loss.

“Makes off with this rose,”

Here, death is personified as a thief who “makes off” or steals away with the speaker, likening life to a delicate rose that is plucked by death.

“Five worms in a box

“To feed the thin crows.”

The image of “five worms in a box” serves as a stark reminder of the decomposition and mortality of the body after death. It emphasizes the physical aspect of mortality and decay.

The stanza concludes with a vivid image of the body’s eventual decomposition, with the worms serving as food for the “thin crows.” This image reinforces the cycle of life and death, highlighting the natural order of decay and renewal.