Recessional
The poem explores themes of memory, love, and the ephemeral nature of existence. It presents the speaker's reflections on their own identity and significance, likening themselves to a fleeting memory or a withered flower. The imagery conveys a sense of transience, suggesting that passion and love are temporary states that do not endure over time. The speaker acknowledges the inevitability of fading emotions and the inability to summon past feelings through mere longing or sorrow. The work delves into the complexities of love, portraying it as a force that transcends logic and reason. The speaker contemplates the nature of love as something that exists both within and outside the heart, emphasizing its unpredictable and uncontrollable essence. The poem raises questions about the understanding of love and the heart's response to it, suggesting that the true nature of these feelings may remain elusive and beyond comprehension. Overall, the piece captures a poignant sense of loss and the bittersweet recognition of love's impermanence, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences with memory and emotion. The interplay of imagery and introspection creates a rich tapestry of thought, highlighting the delicate balance between presence and absence in human relationships.
By Georgia Douglas Johnson · First published 1916 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Modernism · 132 words
First lines
Consider me a memory -- a dream That passed away, Or yet, a flower that has blown and shattered --
In a day; For passion sleeps, alas, and keeps no vigil With the years, And wakens to no conjuring Of orison or tears.
Consider me a melody That served its simple turn, Or but the residue of fire That settles in the urn, For love defies pure reasoning And undeterred flows Within -- without The vassal heart!
Its reasoning --
What this Textopian page supports
Recessional is listed on Textopian as a poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson, dated 1916 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: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Modernism, Philosophical Poetry, Imagism
- Length: 132 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Recessional 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
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Discussion starters
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- Response by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem's focus on personal emotion and musicality aligns it closely with lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, memory, and the transient nature of passion reflect Romantic ideals.
- Modernism — The exploration of fragmented identity and existential themes indicates a modernist influence.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem engages with deep questions about love and existence, characteristic of philosophical poetry.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · Symbolism · Imagery · Nature · Mortality · Loss · Grief · Memory · Nostalgia · Longing · Solitude