Aftermath by Amy Lowell (1917)
"Aftermath" is a collection of poems written by Amy Lowell in the early 20th century. The poems explore themes of grief, loss, and nostalgia, as Lowell reflects on the aftermath of World War I and the changing world around her. Through her use of imagery and symbolism, Lowell creates a sense of longing and melancholy, capturing the mood of a generation grappling with the trauma of war.
By Amy Lowell · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Imagist Literature, Modernist Literature · 164 words
First lines
I learnt to write to you in happier days, / And every letter was a piece I chipped / From off my heart, a fragment newly clipped / From the mosaic of life; its blues and grays, / Its throbbing reds, I gave to earn your praise.
To make a pavement for your feet I stripped / My soul for you to walk upon, and slipped / Beneath your steps to soften all your ways.
But now my letters are like blossoms pale / We strew upon a grave with hopeless tears.
I ask no recompense, I shall not fail / Although you do not heed; the long, sad years / Still pass, and still I scatter flowers frail, / And whisper words of love which no one hears.
What this Textopian page supports
Aftermath is listed on Textopian as a poem by Amy Lowell, 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: Amy Lowell
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Imagist Literature, Modernist Literature
- Length: 164 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Aftermath by Amy Lowell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Similar titles
- In Memory by Joyce Kilmer
- Epilogue by Lord Byron
- In Memoriam by Alfred Tennyson
- The Cameo by Edna St Vincent Millay
- My Heaven by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Last Love by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Poetry — Amy Lowell is known for her contributions to the Imagist movement of poetry. 'Aftermath' is a collection of poems embodying this style.
- Imagist Literature — Lowell's work in 'Aftermath' is characterized by the 'clarity of expression' and 'preciseness of images' typical of the Imagist literary movement.
- Modernist Literature — Amy Lowell's home era of the early 20th century places her work and 'Aftermath' in the period of literary modernism, reflecting its themes and style.
Tags
Poetry · War · Loss · Grief · Mourning · Remembrance · Reflection · Nostalgia · Longing · Yearning · Sorrow · Regret