Comprehension I: It Never Comes Again 

Question 1.
What do the first two lines of the poem mean?
Answer:
The first two lines mean that even though we face losses and pain in life, there are also gains and healing for those pains. Life balances joy and sorrow.

Question 2.
What does one do when something beautiful vanishes?
Answer:
When something beautiful vanishes, like youth, we long for it, miss it deeply, and search for its presence in our surroundings, even though we know it won’t return.

Question 3.
What are the things we lose when youth departs?
Answer:
When youth departs, we lose sweetness, dreams, innocence, enthusiasm, and a sense of freedom. It leaves a void in the heart that can never be filled.

Question 4.
What is the message of the poem?
Answer:
The poem reminds us that youth is a precious and fleeting time. Once it is gone, it never returns. Therefore, we should cherish and make the most of it while we have it.

B. Answer in a paragraph each: It Never Comes Again 

Question 1.
Write the summary of the poem.

Answer:
The poem “It Never Comes Again” reflects on the different stages of life, especially focusing on youth. The poet expresses that although life offers compensation for pain and loss, nothing can replace the joy and beauty of youth. Youth is portrayed as a time of dreams, sweetness, and energy that leaves a lasting impact. Once it passes, it leaves a sense of longing in our hearts. The poet observes that people often try to find traces of their youth in nature and memories, but it never truly returns. The central theme is that youth is unique and once lost, it is gone forever.

Question 2.
How does a man feel at his youth? Explain whether you agree or disagree with the poet.

Answer:
During youth, a person feels energetic, hopeful, and full of dreams. Life appears exciting and full of possibilities. According to the poet, youth leaves behind a sweet and beautiful feeling that stays in the heart forever. I agree with the poet because youth is often the most memorable and emotionally rich time in a person’s life. The experiences of youth shape one’s personality and create memories that people treasure throughout their lives. The longing for that time reflects its value.

C. Rhyming words: It Never Comes Again 

‘Sweet’ and ‘feet’ are two rhyming words. What are the other rhyming words that you can find in the poem? Make a list of such words.

1. Losses – Crosses (implied through poetic rhythm, though not clearly mentioned, we can consider “pains” rhyming in structure)
2. Pains – Reigns (similar ending sounds, used poetically)
3. Departs – Hearts
4. Reign – Again
5. Vain – Again
6. Everywhere – Air

Read the extracts and answer the questions: It Never Comes Again 

Question 1.
“We behold it everywhere, On the earth, and in the air,”

a. What does ‘it’ refer to?
Answer:
‘It’ refers to youth – the sweet, beautiful, and dream-like phase of life that is gone but still missed deeply.

b. Where do we behold it?
Answer:
We behold it everywhere – in the beauty of nature, on the earth and in the air – as a reminder or memory of what once was.

c. Why does the poet say so?
Answer:
The poet says this to express the deep longing and nostalgia people feel for their lost youth. Even though youth has passed, its memory remains all around us, and we are constantly reminded of it, though we can never get it back.

Question 2.
“We are stronger, and are better,
Under manhood’s sterner reign;”

a. When do we feel stronger and better?
Answer:
We feel stronger and better during manhood or adulthood, when we become more mature, responsible, and capable of facing life’s challenges.

b. Here “reign’ refers to ………………
Answer:
Here “reign” refers to the period or rule of manhood, symbolizing the control, discipline, and seriousness of adult life.

c. How do we feel in our youth?
Answer:
In our youth, we feel joyful, dreamy, free-spirited, and full of hope and sweetness. It is a time of innocence and beauty, unlike the seriousness of adulthood.

About the Poet