What the Rain Saw
The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and longing for a lost love. The rain serves as a metaphor for the speaker's tears and sorrow. The poem describes the rain witnessing the couple's happy moments, their separation, and the speaker's subsequent grief. Through the rain's "sight,” the poem conveys the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the pain of remembering a past love.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 293 words
First lines
Winds of the summer time what are you saying, What are ye seeking, and what do you miss? Locks like the thistledown floating and straying, Cheeks like the budding rose, tinted to kiss.
See ye yon mist rising up from the river? That is the spirit of yesterday's rain. Go to it, fly to it, call to it, cry to it, What did ye see when ye fell on the plain?
Rosewood, and velvet, and pansies, and roses, Blossoms from loving hands tenderly cast. Lids like the leaves of a lily that closes After its brief little day-life is past.
Beautiful hands on a beautiful bosom, Folded so quietly, folded in rest. Mouth like the bud of a white-petalled blossom, Creased where the lips of an angel had pressed.
What this Textopian page supports
What the Rain Saw is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1893 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: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Symbolism, Pastoral
- Length: 293 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for What the Rain Saw by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse with a rhythmic and lyrical quality.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, beauty, and emotion are prevalent throughout the work.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on death and loss, typical of elegiac poetry.
- Symbolism — The use of natural elements like rain and flowers to convey deeper meanings is characteristic of Symbolist literature.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Imagery · Symbolism · Romanticism · American Literature · Early 20th Century · Free Verse · Lyrical · Contemplative · Meditative · Rain