Seize the day!

William Shakespeare's poem That time of year is a reiteration of the saying, "You don't know what you have until it is gone." Both the poem and this quote challenge the reader not to take anything for granted, especially transitory elements of life, such as one's youth. In fact, Shakespeare challenges the reader to value more those things that are short-lived. He presents this challenge in the last two lines of the poem stating, "This thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong, To love that well which thou must leave ere long" (Shakespeare, 967).  Shakespeare's message is strengthened by the content of the beginning of the poem as well. He describes the fall and winter as a ceasing of the life of spring. He describes the leafless trees as "bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang" (Shakespeare, 967). The beauty and pleasantry brought by spring is only short-lived. Therefore, one must take advantage of it and see the value in it while he can. Likewise, he must do so not only with his youth, but with life itself, for one day, death will come to take it all away.