Song by Edward Thomas (1904)
The poem explores themes of love, longing, and the interplay between joy and sorrow. The speaker expresses deep emotional attachment to a beloved, whose laughter brings both happiness and a sense of melancholy. The juxtaposition of tears and smiles highlights the complexity of their relationship, where joy is intertwined with the fear of loss. As the seasons change, particularly with the arrival of June and the cuckoo's song, the speaker reflects on the cyclical nature of love and life. The beloved's laughter serves as a source of comfort, yet it also underscores the fragility of their connection. The speaker's sighs indicate a profound yearning, suggesting that their emotional state is heavily influenced by the beloved's presence. The poem captures the essence of romantic devotion, where the speaker acknowledges that their existence is deeply tied to the beloved's well-being. The declaration of love until death emphasizes the intensity of their bond, while also hinting at the inevitability of change and loss. The interplay of light and dark emotions creates a rich tapestry of feelings, illustrating the duality of love as both a source of joy and potential heartache. Overall, the work delves into the complexities of human emotions, portraying love as a powerful force that shapes one's experience of life, marked by both ecstasy and despair. The cyclical references to nature serve to reinforce the themes of continuity and the passage of time, suggesting that love endures even amidst the inevitability of change.
By Edward Thomas · First published 1904 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 57 words
First lines
At poet's tears, Sweeter than any smiles but hers, She laughs; I sigh;
And yet I could not live if she should die.
And when in June Once more the cuckoo spoils his tune, She laughs at sighs;
And yet she says she loves me till she dies.
What this Textopian page supports
Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edward Thomas
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Nature Writing, Elegy
- Length: 57 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and explores emotional themes.
- Romanticism — The poem reflects themes of love, nature, and emotional depth characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Nature Writing — The poem incorporates elements of nature, particularly through the mention of the cuckoo and seasonal imagery.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Emotion · Mood · Atmosphere · Seasonal · Rural · Solitude · Reflection · Memory