Raison D'Etre by Edith Nesbit (1895)
The story revolves around a narrator who is longing for their loved one, expressing the monotony and emptiness of days and nights without them. The narrator describes the day as a mere frame with a sun that seems to be grinning at them, and the night as a veil that hides the moon's tired face. They lament the distance between themselves and their heart's delight, recalling how love had once brought light and secrecy to their encounters. Now, without their loved one, the narrator sees no purpose in the day or night, wishing for them to pass quickly.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1895 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature · 163 words
First lines
O WEARY night, O weary day, / When heart's delight is far away!
What is the day? A frame of blue / The vacant-glaring sun grins through.
What is the night? A sable veil / Through which the moon peers tired and pale.
O weary day! O weary night! / How far away is heart's delight!
What this Textopian page supports
Raison D'Etre is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edith Nesbit, dated 1895 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: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Literature, Victorian Literature
- Length: 163 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Raison D'Etre 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
- At The Gate by Edith Nesbit
- Invocation by Edith Nesbit
- Belinda And Bellamant Or The Bells Of Carrillon Land by Edith Nesbit
- Possession by Edith Nesbit
- Appeal by Edith Nesbit
- These Little Ones 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.
- Victorian Literature — The setting, themes, and style are characteristic of the Victorian era.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Romance · Mystery · Supernatural · Ghosts · Haunted Houses · Family Secrets · Inheritance · Wealth · Social Class · Victorian Era