To a Thunder-Cloud
To a Thunder-Cloud is a poem written by George MacDonald that explores the power and beauty of nature. The speaker addresses a thundercloud, marveling at its ability to bring rain and lightning to the world below. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, MacDonald captures the majesty of the natural world and encourages readers to appreciate its wonders.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical · 156 words
First lines
Oh, melancholy fragment of the night Drawing thy lazy web against the sun, Thou shouldst have waited till the day was done With kindred glooms to build thy fane aright, Sublime amid the ruins of the light!
But thus to shape our glories one by one With fearful hands, ere we had well begun To look for shadows -- even in the bright!
Yet may we charm a lesson from thy breast, A secret wisdom from thy folds of thunder: There is a wind that cometh from the west Will rend thy tottering piles of gloom asunder, And fling thee ruinous along the grass, To sparkle on us as our footsteps pass!
What this Textopian page supports
To a Thunder-Cloud is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1863 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical, Symbolism
- Length: 156 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
- A Summer Night by George William Russell
- The Gifts Of The Moon by Charles Pierre Baudelaire
- Ballad Of The Sun by G. K. Chesterton
- The Sky by Charles Pierre Baudelaire
- The House Of The Titans And Other Poems by George William Russell
- Two Rondels by George Macdonald
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romanticism — The work reflects themes of nature, emotion, and the sublime, which are central to Romantic literature.
- Philosophical — The text explores abstract ideas and themes, such as wisdom and the passage of time, indicative of philosophical literature.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and metaphor, such as the thunder-cloud and light, suggests symbolic interpretation.
Tags
poetry · nature · metaphor · spirituality · emotion · imagination · romanticism · symbolism · reflection · transcendence · beauty · storm