The Barn by Edward Thomas (1914)
The poem reflects on a dilapidated barn, juxtaposing its existence with the natural world surrounding it. The speaker expresses a sense of loss and nostalgia, lamenting the impending destruction of an elm tree while the barn remains, despite its deteriorating state. The barn, built in 1854, symbolizes a bygone era, serving as a repository for memories and the passage of time. The speaker contemplates the barn's purpose, originally constructed to store grain for both humans and animals, now overrun by wildlife. The imagery of fowls, pigs, and starlings highlights the barn's transformation from a functional structure to a neglected relic. The starlings, once vibrant and lively, can no longer find a home within its walls, signifying a shift in the natural order and a loss of vitality. The poem captures themes of decay, the passage of time, and the relationship between human constructs and nature. The speaker's reflections evoke a sense of melancholy, as the barn stands as a testament to both human endeavor and the inevitable decline that accompanies it. The contrast between the barn's permanence and the fleeting nature of life is central to the work, emphasizing the tension between nostalgia for the past and the reality of change.
By Edward Thomas · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Pastoral · 235 words
First lines
They should never have built a barn there, at all -- Drip, drip, drip! -- under that elm tree, Though then it was young. Now it is old But good, not like the barn and me.
To-morrow they cut it down. They will leave The barn, as I shall be left, maybe.
What holds it up? 'Twould not pay to pull down.
Well, this place has no other antiquity.
What this Textopian page supports
The Barn is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, 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: Edward Thomas
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Pastoral, Lyric, Historical
- Length: 235 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Under The Woods by Edward Thomas
- A Late Walk by Robert Frost
- Autumn Thought by Langston Hughes
- After Rain by Edward Thomas
- The Green Roads by Edward Thomas
- A Day by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
- Nature Writing — The poem reflects on the relationship between the barn and the natural environment, emphasizing themes of decay and the passage of time.
- Pastoral — The setting and themes evoke rural life and the simplicity of the countryside.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Tags
Rural Setting · Poetic Prose · Nature Description · Farmland · Agriculture · Seasonal Change · Autumn · Solitude · Isolation · Nostalgia · Melancholy · Reflection