Lover, art thou of a surety

Name: Lover, art thou of a surety
Author: Bliss Carman

The poem begins with the lines "Lover, art thou of a surety gone? / And left me here to mourn alone?" (lines 1-2), setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe the ways in which love can be fleeting and elusive, using imagery and metaphor to convey the idea that love is a fragile and ephemeral thing. For example, the speaker writes "The wind it whispers in my ear / Of far-off lands and distant cheer" (lines 3-4), suggesting that love can be as elusive as the wind and as difficult to grasp hold of. The poem also explores the idea that time is a major factor in the passing of love, with the speaker lamenting "The years they slip away from me / Like sand from out a shell" (lines 5-6). Despite the themes of loss and longing, the poem ultimately expresses a deep yearning for connection and intimacy. The speaker writes "I hear thy voice in every breeze / That whispers through my trees" (lines 7-8), suggesting that even in the absence of physical love, there is still a deep emotional connection between the speaker and their lost lover. Overall, Bliss Carman's poem "Lover" is a beautiful and evocative work that explores the themes of love, longing, and the passing of time. Through its use of imagery, metaphor, and careful word choice, the poem creates a powerful sense of yearning and loss, while also expressing a deep hope for connection and intimacy.

By Bliss Carman · First published 1907 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Literature · 67 words

First lines

Lover, art thou of a surety Not a learner of the wood-god? Has the madness of his music Never touched thee?

Ah, thou dear and godlike mortal, If Pan takes thee for his pupil, Make me but another Syrinx For that piping.

What this Textopian page supports

Lover, art thou of a surety is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1907 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Bliss Carman
Date: 1907 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romance, Literature, Anthology
Length: 67 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Lover, art thou of a surety by Bliss Carman
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 Lover, art thou of a surety?
How does this poem by Bliss Carman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — Bliss Carman is well-known for his contributions to the world of poetry, and 'Lover, art thou of a surety' is also categorized under this genre. The book contains a collection of poems, distinct in style and theme, embodying aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language.
Romance — The title and contents suggest themes of love, indicated through various narrative poems. Though not a dominant genre, it does play a significant role in the way the poems are structured and presented.
Literature — As with many poetry collections, broader categorization under 'literature' is applicable. It critiques, explores, and comments upon the human condition, relationships, and emotional experiences, which fall under the umbrella of general literature.
Anthology — Considering the book as a collection of poems, the genre of 'Anthology' is also relevant, however, it's less direct and less indicative of the book's content compared to previously mentioned genres.