To Vera, Who Asked a Song
The poem's speaker is overwhelmed by their emotions and responsibilities, leaving them little time to compose a song for Vera. They sow the "song-seed" but cannot nurture it to growth. The speaker feels suffocated by the demands of loving and pleasing Vera, and begs for a moment's peace to create a sweet melody in her honor.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Romantic, Victorian · 171 words
First lines
IF I only had time! I could make you a rhyme.
But my time is kept flying By smiling and sighing And living and dying for you.
The song-seed, I sow it, I water and hoe it, But never can grow it.
Ah, traitress, you know it! What is a poor poet to do?
What this Textopian page supports
To Vera, Who Asked a Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edith Nesbit, dated 1914 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: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romantic, Victorian
- Length: 171 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a collection of poems, characterized by rhythmic and rhyming language.
- Romantic — The poems often explore themes of love and personal relationships.
- Victorian — The work reflects the societal and cultural context of the Victorian era.
Tags
Poetry · Victorian Era · British Literature · Children's Poetry · Nostalgic · Whimsical · Imagination · Fantasy · Nature · Youth · Innocence · Playful