Before Winter by Edith Nesbit (1905)
The story revolves around the theme of loss and longing. The poem-like chapter describes a stormy night where the wind cries like a lost child, symbolizing the pain of separation. The sea-poppies and waves are battered by the strong winds, marking the end of summer and joy. The tortured tree branches grasp at the windows of a house, now closed and devoid of warmth. The "lost child of love" is a metaphor for a past love that has been lost, and the narrator remembers a time when the windows of their heart were open and bright, but are now shut tight with despair.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1905 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature · 126 words
First lines
THE wind is crying in the night, / Like a lost child; / The waves break wonderful and white / And wild.
The drenched sea-poppies swoon along / The drenched sea-wall, / And there's an end of summer and of song- / An end of all.
The fingers of the tortured boughs / Gripped by the blast / Clutch at the windows of your house / Closed fast.
And the lost child of love, despair, / Cries in the night, / Remembering how once those windows were / Open and bright.
What this Textopian page supports
Before Winter is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edith Nesbit, dated 1905 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edith Nesbit
- Date: 1905 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature, Coming of Age
- Length: 126 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Before Winter by Edith Nesbit
- 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
Similar titles
- Justnowland by Edith Nesbit
- July by Edith Nesbit
- February by Edith Nesbit
- The Old Magic by Edith Nesbit
- The Destroyer by Edith Nesbit
- The Magic Flower by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves magical elements and supernatural events.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a journey and exploration.
- Children's Literature — The story is written in a manner suitable for young readers.
- Coming of Age — The narrative follows the growth and personal development of the protagonist.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Children's Literature · Classic · British Literature · Early 20th Century · Magic Realism · Quest · Good vs Evil · Friendship · Loyalty · Bravery