The Heart of Sadness by Edith Nesbit
The poem's speaker describes their deep longing for a loved one, feeling lonelier even when surrounded by others. They weep because they can no longer freely think of the beloved, and instead are overwhelmed by the desire to be reunited. The speaker reflects on how their love has grown stronger over time, but also more cautious, fearing that if they give in to their desires, they will be consumed by them and lose all sense of self.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1909 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Drama · 248 words
First lines
It is not, Dear, because I am alone, I am lonelier when the rest are near, But that my place against your heart has grown Too dear to dream of when you are not here.
I weep because my thoughts no more may roam To meet, half-way, your longing thoughts of me, To turn with these and spread glad wings for home, For the dear haven where I fain would be.
When first we loved, I loved to steal away To show to solitude what love could do, To fill the waste space of the night and day With thousand-wingèd dreams that flew to you; But now through many tears I am grown wise To know how mighty and how dear love is; I dare not turn to him my longing eyes, Nor even in dreams lean out my face to his,
What this Textopian page supports
The Heart of Sadness is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edith Nesbit, dated 1909 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: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Drama
- Length: 248 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Eurydice by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- The Heart Of Grief by Edith Nesbit
- Lost Dreams by Helen Hay Whitney
- Stronger Than Death by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward
- Grief by Edith Wharton
- Out Of Hope by Edith Nesbit
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, with a rhythmic structure and rhyme scheme, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The content revolves around themes of love, longing, and heartache, typical of the romance genre.
- Drama — The intense emotional expression and conflict suggest elements of drama.
Tags
Victorian Era · Family Drama · Social Class · Poverty · Childhood · Coming of Age · Loss · Grief · Mourning · Death · Sorrow · Tragedy