Respite by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem Respite is a lyrical and introspective work that explores the themes of love, loss, and longing. The speaker reflects on a past relationship that has ended, and they are left to ponder what could have been. The tone is melancholic and nostalgic, with the speaker seeking respite from the pain of their memories.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Reflective · 224 words
First lines
The mighty conflict, which we call existence, Doth wear upon the body and the soul, Our vital forces wasted in resistance, So much there is to conquer and control.
The rock which meets the billows with defiance, Undaunted and unshaken day by day, In spite of its unyielding self-reliance, Is by the warfare surely worn away.
And there are depths and heights of strong emotions That surge at times within the human breast, More fierce than all the tides of all the oceans Which sweep on ever in divine unrest.
I sometimes think the rock worn with adventures, And sad with thoughts of conflicts yet to be, Must envy the frail reed which no one censures, When, overcome, 'tis swallowed by the sea.
What this Textopian page supports
Respite is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 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: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Reflective, Spiritual, Nature
- Length: 224 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a focus on meter and rhyme.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep existential questions and the nature of life and death.
- Reflective — The content is introspective, contemplating human emotions and experiences.
- Spiritual — There are references to divine elements and the afterlife.
Tags
Romance · Poetry · Love · Nature · Spirituality · Philosophy · Mortality · Grief · Loss · Sorrow · Melancholy · Reflection