Epitaph in a Church-Yard in Charleston, South Ca
"Epitaph in a Church-Yard in Charleston, South Carolina" is a poem written by Amy Lowell. The poem is a reflection on death and the passing of time, as seen through the eyes of someone visiting a churchyard in Charleston, South Carolina. The speaker of the poem reflects on the various epitaphs and graves they see, each one telling a different story of life and death. Through these observations, Lowell explores themes of mortality, memory, and the transience of human existence.
By Amy Lowell · First published 1913 · Genre: Poetry, Historical, Cultural · 191 words
First lines
GEORGE AUGUSTUS CLOUGH A NATIVE OF LIVERPOOL, DIED SUDDENLY OF "STRANGER'S FEVER" NOV'R 5th 1843 AGED 22
He died of "Stranger's Fever" when his youth Had scarcely melted into manhood, so The chiselled legend runs; a brother's woe Laid bare for epitaph. The savage ruth Of a sunny, bright, but alien land, uncouth With cruel caressing dealt a mortal blow, And by this summer sea where flowers grow In tropic splendor, witness to the truth Of ineradicable race he lies.
The law of duty urged that he should roam, Should sail from fog and chilly airs to skies Clear with deceitful welcome. He had come With proud resolve, but still his lonely eyes Ached with fatigue at never seeing home.
What this Textopian page supports
Epitaph in a Church-Yard in Charleston, South Carolina is listed on Textopian as a poem by Amy Lowell, dated 1913 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: 1913 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Historical, Cultural, Death & Grief
- Length: 191 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Epitaph in a Church-Yard in Charleston, South Carolina by Amy Lowell
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Epitaph in a Church-Yard in Charleston, South Carolina?
- How does this poem by Amy Lowell fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- On The Tombs In Westminster Abbey by Alice Meynell
- When I Have Departed by Bliss Carman
- Epitaph by Alice Meynell
- Ode On Intimations Of Immortality From by Alice Meynell
- Threnody For A Poet by Bliss Carman
- Lonely Burial by Stephen Vincent Benet
Genres
- Poetry — Given the author Amy Lowell's renowned presence in the field of poetry, and considering the lyrical style associated with epitaphs, the genre of this book can most accurately be categorized as Poetry.
- Historical — The title of the book suggests that the content will have references to a specific location and time in the past, which falls under the Historical genre.
- Cultural — The reference to Charleston, South Carolina signifies a cultural element, indicating that the book may cover aspects of the culture of this region.
- Death & Grief — The term 'epitaph' is related to death and grief, implying that those themes are likely addressed in the book.
Tags
poetry · epitaph · churchyard · Charleston · South Carolina · Amy Lowell · 19th century literature · American literature · death · mourning · grief · loss