Wordsworth's Poetical Works
my heart leaps up
In this poem what does the usage of different tenses aim to in line 3, 4, 5, 6?
In this poem what does the usage of different tenses aim to in line 3, 4, 5, 6?
The poem begins with the word "so" and then adds the tense shift in each line. The tense shift juxtaposes time in a unique way to give a much more rounder view of the pleasure and the pain of life. The consistency of adding "So was it", "So is it", and "So be it" gives a reader a sense of permanency in life despite the good and bad times.