The author reflects on a poem he wrote that addresses the theme of ignorance and the complexity of life. Despite the depth of the subject, he considers the poem a failure, a sentiment he holds towards many of his works from that period. This feeling of inadequacy is intriguing to him, especially when he realizes that he actually enjoyed a fulfilling and positive phase of his life during that time.

This contrast between his inner critique of his poetry and the overall goodness of his experiences leads him to ponder the nature of creativity and self-evaluation. The poem he deemed unsuccessful encapsulates a universal struggle with understanding life's intricacies, even amidst joy and contentment, highlighting how artists often grapple with self-doubt regardless of their circumstances.