O but my delicate lover
Carman's poem "O But My Delicate Lover" is a beautiful and evocative work that explores the themes of love, longing, and the fragility of human relationships. The speaker of the poem yearns for a lover who is elusive and distant, describing their desire in vivid and poignant language. The poem begins with the lines "O but my delicate lover, / How I yearn for thee!" (lines 1-2), setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker goes on to describe their longing in detail, using imagery and metaphor to convey the depth of their emotion. Throughout the poem, Carman employs a range of literary devices, including symbolism, personification, and allusion. For example, the speaker compares their lover to a "snowflake" (line 9), highlighting the fragility and beauty of their desire. The final lines of the poem offer a glimmer of hope, as the speaker suggests that they may yet find their elusive lover: "Perhaps some day I shall find thee / In some far-off land of dreams" (lines 13-14). However, the overall tone of the poem remains one of longing and yearning, emphasizing the difficulty of attaining the things we truly desire. Overall, "O But My Delicate Lover" is a moving and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of love and desire with precision and beauty.
By Bliss Carman · First published 1896 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Drama · 137 words
First lines
O but my delicate lover, Is she not fair as the moonlight? Is she not supple and strong For hurried passion?
Has not the god of the green world, In his large tolerant wisdom, Filled with the ardours of earth Her twenty summers?
Well did he make her for loving; Well did he mould her for beauty; Gave her the wish that is brave With understanding.
"O Pan, avert from this maiden Sorrow, misfortune, bereavement, Harm, and unhappy regret," Prays one fond mortal.
What this Textopian page supports
O but my delicate lover is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1896 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: 1896 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Drama, Biography
- Length: 137 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for O but my delicate lover by Bliss Carman
- 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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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — Bliss Carman was a well known poet and thus suggests that the book is a collection of poems.
- Romance — The title suggests themes of love and intimacy, characteristics typically found in the romance genre.
- Drama — The term 'delicate' in the title could suggest the exploration of sensitive or dramatic topics and situations.
- Biography — Assuming the book could be a collection of poems, it could potentially serve as a poetic biography of the author's lover.
Tags
Romantic · Poetry · Love · Nature · Symbolism · Feminine · Erotic · Sensuality · Longing · Yearning · Passion · Desire