Davis Matlock weighs a bleak view of human life: people as bees in a hive, storing up material things, culture, and wisdom for a future generation that never fully arrives, while this one only briefly enjoys youth’s sunlight and clover. He doesn’t deny that picture, but he pushes past it. Human nature, he insists, is larger than the hive’s demands. Life means carrying burdens and also answering an overflow of spirit. So his advice is to live with the confidence of a god who is sure of immortal life, even while feeling real doubt. That stance is the only worthy response. If it doesn’t make God proud, then God is merely physical force, or sleep is the only golden goal. The mood is thoughtful and resolute, with a hard-earned, quiet hope.
Davis Matlock — Summary
Suppose it is nothing but the hive: That there are drones and workers And queens, and nothing but storing honey— (Material things as well as culture and wisdom)— For the next generation, this generation never living, Except as it swarms in the sun-light of youth, Strengthening its wings on what has been gathered, And tasting, on the way to the hive From the clover field, the delicate spoil. Suppose all this, and suppose the truth: That the nature of man is greater Than nature’s need in the hive; And you must bear the burden of life, As well as the urge from your spirit’s excess— Well, I say to live it out like a god Sure of immortal life, though you are in doubt, Is the way to live it. If that doesn’t make God proud of you Then God is nothing but gravitation Or sleep is the golden goal.