A Spring Dirge by Ameen Rihani
The poem explores the themes of loss and longing, set against a backdrop of nature's awakening from winter's slumber. The speaker mourns the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life, while also acknowledging the cyclical renewal that comes with each season. The dirge-like tone is juxtaposed with images of blooming flowers and birdsong, highlighting the tension between sorrow and rebirth.
By Ameen Rihani · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 207 words
First lines
Sad, sad, sad -- In vain thou comest, Spring; Sad, sad, sad -- In vain thy birds all sing: Perfumeless is thy rose; Thy breeze, which softly blows, Disturbs my sea of woes, Ay, Death is on the wing.
Gone, gone, gone -- Go seek her, mocking Spring; Gone, gone, gone -- Aside thy garlands fling; Destroy thy laughing bower; Call back an April shower To weep with me this hour: He came, not reckoning.
Love, love, love -- What sendest thou with Spring?
Love, love, love -- What tidings these birds bring!
What this Textopian page supports
A Spring Dirge is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ameen Rihani, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ameen Rihani
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Symbolism, Nature Poetry
- Length: 207 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Spring Dirge by Ameen Rihani
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses deep personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience align with Romantic ideals.
- Elegy — The tone of mourning and loss suggests an elegiac quality.
- Symbolism — Use of symbols like Spring and nature to convey deeper meanings and emotions.
Tags
Arabian Literature · Autobiographical Fiction · Coming-of-Age Story · Eastern Philosophy · Existentialism · Fictionalized Memoir · Identity Crisis · Lebanese Culture · Literary Experimentation · Mediterranean Setting · Middle Eastern History · Narrative Non-Fiction