How does the imagery in the stanza contribute to the poem's overall meaning? "Monet's 'Waterlilies"

It illustrates a sense of misfortune.

Explanation:

The poem "Monet’s ‘Waterlilies'', from which this stanza is, was written by Robert Hayden. By using personification, the author deals with the dark events from the past. He refers to Vietnam war and deals with the civil rights movements.

He claims that, provided that we have will power, we can turn sadness into joy. This creates a feeling of enthusiasm in the army during the war. However, in these particular lines, the author mentions the word "tears" and "the world each of us has lost", which illustrates a sense of misfortune.