In her poem, "Away Melancholy", how does Smith attempt to encourage her readers to feel more optimistic about life?

Moreover, Smith speaks about humans and relates them to the ant, further suggesting positivity to her readers. This is illustrated in the line, “Man, too hurries, Eats, couples, buries”. This sentence is one of the extraordinarily clever lines in the poem. The use of asyndeton speeds up the pace of the poem, compared to the last stanzas, which additionally reflects the fleeing quickness of life. This further explains the idea that everyone has their own lives that are just as complex as the reader’s, thus you should not feel worried or depressed. Also, the fleetness of life should encourage the reader to feel more optimistic of life, as they are reminded that their time alive is limited so they should spend it happily. The invokes feelings of understanding in the reader as they realize they should not be wasting their time feeling melancholic and should instead- seize the day joyfully.  

Furthermore, Smith uses powerful imagery, in order to remind the reader of the innate beauty of the world. This is presented is the line, “In his own blood lying/yet he heaves up an eye above/ cries, love, love”. This line demonstrates someone in their darkest moment, and how even then this person looks at the sky and ‘cries, love, love’. The repetition of the word love draws our attention to the crucial message; there is no reason to explore the negativism of the world; rather focus on the beauty and miracles all around us.

Finally, Smith uses a refrain to reinforce the main theme of the poem, in order to ensure that the reader remembers it. This is shown in the line, “Away, melancholy, let it go”. This line is repeated in the poem numerous times. It feels like an invocation of goodwill as the tone seems to belittle melancholy. This is a beautiful way of making the reader hear this refrain gradually become a mantra as they go through the poem; and finally hear the chant throughout. Moreover, this tone is of annoyance, which will help the reader feel more optimistic about life as they shoo melancholy away like it is a fly.

In conclusion, ‘Away, Melancholy’ by Stevie Smith is a fascinating poem with an exceptionally insightful message. It is quite eye opening; exhibiting the idea that we are all so silly for wasting our time being sad. This poem is a remarkable depiction of life and it’s and the entire intent of this poem is wise beyond its years.