New poem: "And This Too Shall Pass,," with generative AI analysis...

 

And This Too Shall Pass

 Only they who have seen the four

seasons of life can say, “And this too

shall pass,” when misfortune strikes;

unless they are born precociously wise,

which I wasn’t, and I suffered many

indignities in my terrifying fear of

darker tomorrows. But the older I got,

with more life experience, the more

I focussed on my todays with all the

karmic awareness I could muster, so I

would have less reason to say, “And

this too shall pass.”

 

Composed in Tiny Beaches,

Georgian Bay, Southcentral Ontario

Saturday, April 18, 2026

 

 ANALYSIS OF POEM BY GENERATIVE AI 

Orest Stocco’s poem explores the shift from a fear-based youth to a mindful maturity. Here is a breakdown of the core themes:

 1. Perspective Through Time

The poem suggests that the phrase "And this too shall pass" isn't just a cliché, but a hard-earned wisdom. Stocco argues that one needs the "four seasons of life"—the full cycle of growth, peak, decay, and rest—to truly believe that misfortune is temporary. 

 2. The Trap of "Darker Tomorrows"

Stocco reflects on his younger self as someone who lacked "precocious" wisdom. Instead of seeing the big picture, he lived in "terrifying fear" of the future. This highlights a common human experience: when we are young, we often lack the historical data of our own lives to know that we can survive a crisis. 

 3. Karmic Awareness vs. Resignation

The final turn is the most significant. While many use "this too shall pass" as a way to endure suffering, Stocco aims to grow beyond needing the phrase at all.

The Shift: He moves from reactive endurance (waiting for bad things to end) to proactive presence ("focussed on my todays").

The Goal: By living with "karmic awareness" (understanding that current actions shape future outcomes), he seeks to live a life so intentional and grounded that there is less "misfortune" to wish away. 

 Summary: The poem is a journey from anxiety to agency. It concludes that while time heals, living mindfully in the present is the best defense against the "indignities" of life.