What the west wind whispers
The poem "What the West Wind Whispers" by Bliss Carman is a beautiful and evocative work that explores the themes of nature, beauty, and the passing of time. The west wind is personified as a gentle but insistent force, whispering secrets to the reader about the world around us. The poem begins with the lines "In the twilight's hush, where the shadows play / Upon the earth, and sea, and sky," setting the tone for the rest of the work. The west wind is described as a "mysterious voice" that speaks to us through the natural world, urging us to listen and pay attention to its whispers. Throughout the poem, Carman uses imagery and symbolism to convey the idea that time is fleeting and that we must make the most of every moment. The west wind is described as "a voice that speaks / Of things that are not seen," suggesting that there is more to life than what we can see with our eyes. The poem also explores the idea of beauty and how it can be found in even the smallest things. Carman writes, "In the grasses' green, and flowers' glow, / In the twilight's hush, where the shadows play," highlighting the beauty that can be found in nature. Overall, "What the West Wind Whispers" is a thought-provoking and beautiful poem that encourages readers to slow down and appreciate the world around them.
By Bliss Carman · First published 1912 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism · 149 words
First lines
What the west wind whispers At the end of summer, When the barley harvest Ripens to the sickle, Who can tell?
What means the fine music Of the dry cicada, Through the long noon hours Of the autumn stillness, Who can say?
How the grape ungathered With its bloom of blueness Greatens on the trellis Of the brick-walled garden, Who can know?
Yet I, too, am greatened, Keep the note of gladness, Travel by the wind's road, Through this autumn leisure, -- By thy love.
What this Textopian page supports
What the west wind whispers is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1912 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: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism, Canadian Literature
- Length: 149 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for What the west wind whispers by Bliss Carman
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Songs Of The Grass by Bliss Carman
- Bloodroot by Bliss Carman
- Ye Who Have The Stable World by Bliss Carman
- Once In The Shining Street by Bliss Carman
- Others Shall Behold The Sun by Bliss Carman
- The White Gull by Bliss Carman
Genres
- Poetry — Bliss Carman was a Canadian poet who is recognized as a prominent figure in Canadian Literature. 'What the west wind whispers' is a collection of his poems, and therefore, the primary genre of the book is poetry.
- Nature — Carman's works, including 'What the west wind whispers', contain rich representations of the natural world, indicating that the genre of nature is highly relevant.
- Romanticism — The poems in 'What the west wind whispers' share themes and characteristics with the Romantic literary movement, such as a strong emphasis on emotion, a love for the natural world, and an interest in the supernatural.
- Canadian Literature — As a Canadian poet, Carman's works contribute to the body of Canadian literature. Thus, this is a significant genre in the context of the book.
Tags
Nature poetry · Canadian literature · Romanticism · Symbolism · Mythology · Folklore · Epic · Poetic drama · Speculative fiction · Supernatural · Esoteric · Spirituality