Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem line-by-line.
Lines 17-18
Either the Darkness alters –
Or something in the sight
- As they are adjusting, the darkness “alters.” Huh?
- Something is changing. Read on…
Lines 19-20
Adjusts itself to Midnight –
And Life steps almost straight.
- The brave ones have changed; their sight has adjusted to the darkest part of the night.
- Because they were brave and went into this uncertain darkness, they’ve gained the ability to see the road again. They can “step” in a straight line and follow it.
- If we are brave like they are, she says, and don’t run from uncertainty, we’ll soon adjust to it and be able to see the path ahead of us.
- Almost, anyways. In the final line, life doesn’t step perfectly straight; there’s no easy cure for uncertainty here.