The temptation is to stay inside; to subside into the kind of recluse whom neighborhood children regard with derision and little awe; to let the hedges and weeds grow up, to allow the doors to rust shut, to lie on my bed in some gown-shaped garment and let my hair lengthens and spread out over the pillow and my fingernails to sprout into claws, while candle wax drips onto the carpet. But long ago I made a choice between classicism and romanticism. I prefer to be upright and contained-an urn in daylight.
The speaker reflects on the struggle between isolation and engagement with the world. There is a pull towards a reclusive lifestyle, where one might neglect personal appearance and surroundings, leading to a sense of decay and disconnection. This sedentary life is contrasted with the desire to remain active and present, even amidst feelings of retreat. The imagery evokes a sense of surrendering to comfort while risking a loss of identity and connection.
This internal conflict highlights the choice between classicism, representing order and structure, and romanticism, with its indulgence in emotion and chaos. The speaker ultimately chooses to maintain an upright and dignified stance in life, akin to an urn, symbolizing the importance of self-discipline and engagement with the wider world, despite the temptations of withdrawal and neglect.
