The Word by Edward Thomas (1910)
The poem explores themes of memory, loss, and the enduring power of certain names and experiences. The speaker reflects on the many things forgotten over time, likening this loss to a childless woman's grief for her lost lineage. The speaker acknowledges the fading of significant historical figures and events, emphasizing the inevitability of forgetting. However, amidst this loss, there remains a singular name that persists in memory, symbolized by the song of a thrush. This name, though described as "empty" and "thingless," holds a profound significance, as it is continually echoed in nature, particularly through the thrush's song. The repetition of this name serves as a reminder of the connection between the speaker and the natural world, suggesting that while many memories fade, some elements of existence remain vibrant and alive. The poem ultimately juxtaposes the transient nature of human memory with the enduring presence of certain symbols in nature, highlighting the interplay between forgetting and remembrance.
By Edward Thomas · First published 1910 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Nature · 215 words
First lines
There are so many things I have forgot, That once were much to me, or that were not, All lost, as is a childless woman's child And its child's children, in the undefiled Abyss of what can never be again.
I have forgot, too, names of the mighty men That fought and lost or won in the old wars, Of kings and fiends and gods, and most of the stars.
Some things I have forgot that I forget.
But lesser things there are, remembered yet, Than all the others. One name that I have not -- Though 'tis an empty thingless name -- forgot Never can die because Spring after Spring Some thrushes learn to say it as they sing.
What this Textopian page supports
The Word is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, dated 1910 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: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Nature, Philosophical, Modernist
- Length: 215 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature — Themes of nature and the natural world are prominent, particularly through the imagery of birds and scents.
- Philosophical — The poem explores themes of memory, loss, and existence, prompting philosophical contemplation.
Tags
Literary Fiction · Philosophical · Poetic · Symbolic · Existential · Psychological · Stream-of-Consciousness · Experimental · Language-Driven · Inner Monologue · Self-Discovery · Identity Crisis