Returned Birds by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and longing for a past love that has been lost. The speaker describes the return of birds to their nests, which serves as a metaphor for the desire to reunite with a former lover. The poem expresses a sense of melancholy and yearning, as the speaker acknowledges that the past cannot be recaptured, but still holds onto the memories of it.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1884 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 407 words
First lines
My heart to-day is like a southern wood, / Through summer months it has been drunk with heat; / And slumbered on unmindful of the beat / Of life beyond it: sleep alone seemed good.
Now milder Autumn's tints are in the sky; / The fervid heats of summer noons depart; / And backward to the old haunts in my heart / The golden robins and the blue birds fly.
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse, with a focus on rhythm, meter, and imagery.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and nostalgia are prevalent throughout the work.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
- Nature — The poem heavily references natural elements such as birds, seasons, and landscapes.
Tags
Poetry · Romance · Nature · Birds · Love · Loss · Longing · Melancholy · Nostalgia · Imagery · Symbolism · Free Verse
What this Textopian page supports
Returned Birds is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1884 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: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Nature, Sentimental
- Length: 407 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Returned Birds by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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