I Closed my Shutters Fast Last Night
The poem explores themes of longing, isolation, and the interplay between the external world and internal emotions. The speaker describes the act of closing their shutters, symbolizing a retreat from the outside world, which is depicted as beautiful yet pleading. The purple sky and low-hanging lights evoke a sense of yearning and connection to nature, contrasting with the speaker's reluctance to engage with it. The speaker's heart is personified, left outside in the dark, singing a wordless, anguished tone, suggesting deep emotional turmoil and a struggle with vulnerability. This imagery highlights the tension between the desire for connection and the instinct to protect oneself from potential pain. As the night progresses, the speaker lies awake, reflecting on their feelings of loss and longing. The arrival of morning brings a shift in tone, with the tranquil dawn restoring a sense of calm. The heart, once forlorn, is reassured by the gentle whispers of the morning, which encourage patience and hope for a future moment of fulfillment. Overall, the work captures the complexity of human emotions, the desire for connection, and the solace found in nature, while also emphasizing the importance of waiting for the right moment to embrace one's feelings fully.
By Georgia Douglas Johnson · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Modernism · 135 words
First lines
I closed my shutters fast last night, Reluctantly and slow, So pleading was the purple sky With all the lights hung low; I left my lagging heart outside Within the dark alone, I heard it singing through the gloom A wordless, anguished tone.
Upon my sleepless couch I lay Until the tranquil morn Came through the silver silences To bring my heart forlorn, Restoring it with calm caress Unto its sheltered bower, While whispering: "Await, await Your golden, perfect hour. "
What this Textopian page supports
I Closed my Shutters Fast Last Night is listed on Textopian as a poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson, 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: Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Modernism, Symbolism, Contemporary Poetry
- Length: 135 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's focus on personal emotion and vivid imagery aligns it closely with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience reflect the ideals of the Romantic movement.
- Modernism — The poem's introspective tone and exploration of inner feelings resonate with modernist themes.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and metaphor to convey deeper meanings aligns with the Symbolist movement.
Tags
Poetry · African American Literature · Early 20th Century Poetry · Symbolism · Imagery · Nature Imagery · Emotional Expression · Intimacy · Loneliness · Isolation · Domesticity · Marriage