A Man's Last Love by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of unrequited love and the pain it brings to those who experience it. The narrator reflects on a past love that has been lost, lamenting the fact that they were unable to express their feelings when they had the chance. The poem conveys a sense of longing and regret, emphasizing the idea that some loves are doomed from the start.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1899 · Genre: Romance, Poetry, Drama · 164 words
First lines
Like the tenth wave, that offers to the shore / Accumulated opulence and force, / So does my heart, which thought it loved of yore, / Carry increasing passion down the course / Of time to proffer thee. / Oh! not the faint / First ripple of the sea should be its pride, / But the great climax of its unrestraint, / Which culminates in one commanding tide.
The lesser billows of each crude emotion / Break on life's strand, recede, and then unite / With love's large sea; and to some late devotion / Unrecognised, they bring their lost delight. / So all the vanished fancies of my past / Live yet in this one passion, grand and vast.
Similar titles
- When Love Is Lost by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- A Minor Chord by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- More Fortunate by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- The Cameo by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Their Sweet Sorrow by James Whitcomb Riley
- A Test Of Love by James Whitcomb Riley
Genres
- Romance — The poem expresses deep and passionate love, focusing on the intensity and culmination of romantic feelings.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing poetic devices and structure to convey its themes.
- Drama — The language and imagery suggest a dramatic and emotional exploration of love and devotion.
- Philosophical — The poem reflects on the nature of love and emotions over time, offering a contemplative perspective.
Tags
Romance · Tragedy · Love Story · Poetic Prose · Emotional Journey · Heartbreak · Loss · Grief · Melancholy · Nostalgia · Longing · Yearning
What this Textopian page supports
A Man's Last Love is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Poetry, Drama, Philosophical
- Length: 164 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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