Most poems always have a fairly vague underlying story, leaving the direction of mood to the discretion of the reader. It is rare that a person can truly relate to a poem in the context for which it is intended. In the poem Borrowed Time by Ruth Fainlight, she simply gives us an inspirational poem that we can all relate to in our own personal way and that doesn't let us hate ourselves because of our own life choices rather than being good or bad . Looking at the thoughtful tone and symbolism of Fainlight's life, we understand how our life is a symbol of borrowed time, and this is important because it reminds us that we should take advantage of the time given to us since a another day is not promised. .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayMany people do not understand the reality of this concept. Life itself is symbolized as borrowed time and the poem explains the relationship between the two. “Perhaps because we are living on borrowed time” are among the lyrics of the poem that Fainlight uses to clarify that this poem is not just about her and her personal thoughts. It plays on the value that everyone has their own life to value. This particular set of lyrics also explains that its ideas apply to every person and that no human being can avoid death itself. “He’s surprised you’re still alive,” meaning why would he be surprised? There are so many reasons to live and so much meaning in life. Fainlight continues to solidify the symbolism between life and time by providing an image of the end date. She does this by saying "later I will pay my debts", meaning that she lives her life without regrets. When the time comes, she will leave. The ideology present in the symbolism is very significant and transcends into the other parts of the poem such as attitude and tone. The thoughtful tone that Fainlight demonstrates in the following lyrics is based on his own feelings but is easy for anyone to understand. “Do not allow this moment to be, or become, even perhaps, the very last time” makes the reader understand that there is no going back and that there is only 'only one chance to experience all that life has to offer. There is no starting over and no way to erase the past as much as a person wants. Throughout the poem, the attitude present in the tone matures to become very meaningful, meditative and finally turns into encouragement. “We both look at the moon and I silently beg,” Fainlight mentions as if begging for more time. There is no deadline for learning from your mistakes and becoming a better person than you were the day before. Loving who you are provides contentment, and loving and respecting those around you allows you to leave behind a pleasant part of yourself that they can cherish when your time is up. A combination of these two elements and making choices without regrets are the building blocks of a life that leaves you and others at peace. As a reader, it is easy to understand the tone used in the poem because of Fainlight's use of simplistic words and his meaningful state of mind. The diction used in the poem is low and informal. This makes the poem unpretentious and the message relatively easy to understand. This poem has a common theme that condescends throughout life. People are constantly reminded that choices will always have consequences. Even as a child, a parent's job is to try to teach their child right from wrong..