Lethe by Georgia Douglas Johnson
The poem explores themes of longing, resignation, and the desire for peace. The speaker expresses a detachment from conventional desires such as love and friendship, indicating a past where these were once sought but ultimately relinquished. Instead, the speaker yearns for a simple, tranquil existence, symbolized by a small boat that allows for drifting and eventual sinking into the sea. This imagery conveys a desire for escape from emotional turmoil and a wish for a quiet end, reflecting a profound sense of weariness and acceptance of solitude. The work encapsulates a deep introspection on the nature of fulfillment and the search for solace in a world that has become overwhelming. The speaker's quest is not for grand experiences but for a serene departure from life's complexities.
By Georgia Douglas Johnson · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism · 70 words
First lines
I do not ask for love -- ah! no, Nor friendship's happiness, These were relinquished long ago I search for something less.
I seek a little, tranquil bark In which to drift at ease Awhile, and then quite silently To sink in quiet seas.
What this Textopian page supports
Lethe is listed on Textopian as a poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson, dated 1918 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: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism, Existentialism, Symbolism
- Length: 70 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Lethe by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Lethe?
- How does this poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Sepulchre by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Treasure by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Lethe by Edna St Vincent Millay
- The Lost Path by James Whitcomb Riley
- Extinguish My Eyes by Ranier Maria Rilke
- Remembrance by W. B. Yeats
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of introspection and a quest for tranquility align with Romantic ideals.
- Existentialism — The search for meaning and acceptance of mortality reflects existential themes.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Symbolism · Mythology · Memory · Forgetting · Loss · Grief · Mortality · Existentialism · Philosophy · Psychological Insight