To Youth -- in Secret Joy
"To Youth -- in Secret Joy" by Fannie Stearns Davis is a poem that captures a moment of profound, private happiness experienced by the speaker. The poem describes the act of shutting out the external world to savor an intense, personal joy that feels sacred and intimate. The speaker reflects on the contrast between this moment of joy and the haunting past, as well as the uncertain future. The poem emphasizes the importance of cherishing and remembering this deep, secret ecstasy, suggesting that it may serve as a source of strength or solace in the future. The speaker urges themselves to pray and hold onto this memory, acknowledging that such moments of pure joy are rare and precious.
By Fannie Stearns Davis · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Inspirational · 348 words
First lines
Shut out the wind, shut out the gloom, Draw the gold curtains round the room: The candle-light sees well that you Are glad, as mortals may be. Through Your heart a secret fragrance blows, Like a June garden, when a rose Leans to the wind: the light-lipped morn Whispers, "So thou! so thou -- art born!"
What this Textopian page supports
To Youth -- in Secret Joy is listed on Textopian as a poem by Fannie Stearns Davis, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Fannie Stearns Davis
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Inspirational, Spiritual, Romantic
- Length: 348 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To Youth -- in Secret Joy by Fannie Stearns Davis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and heavily relies on poetic devices and imagery.
- Lyric Poetry — The personal, emotional tone and focus on inner experiences characterize it as lyric poetry.
- Inspirational — Themes celebrating youthful joy and the ephemeral nature of life impart an inspirational quality.
- Spiritual — The invocation of prayer and divine elements adds a significant spiritual dimension to the work.
Tags
youth · secret · joy · coming-of-age · adolescence · inspiration · optimism · self-discovery · passion · freedom · celebration · growth