Sundown by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The setting summer sun lights treetops and a church weathercock while shadows gather below. The speaker asks what the day has given and taken, then reflects on its irreversible passing and the good and evil people have done.
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · Genre: Meditative Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 152 words
First lines
The summer sun is sinking low; / Only the tree-tops redden and glow: / Only the weathercock on the spire / Of the neighboring church is a flame of fire; / All is in shadow below.
O beautiful, awful summer day, / What hast thou given, what taken away? / Life and death, and love and hate, / Homes made happy or desolate, / Hearts made sad or gay!
On the road of life one mile-stone more! / In the book of life one leaf turned o'er! / Like a red seal is the setting sun / On the good and the evil men have done, -- / Naught can to-day restore!
Genres
- Meditative Poetry — The speaker questions the departing day about happiness and loss, then considers the passing of time and human deeds.
- Lyric Poetry — Three rhymed stanzas move from a sunset scene to the speaker's direct address to the day and personal reflection.
- Nature Poetry — The summer sun, glowing treetops, and gathering shadows supply the scene that begins the reflection.
Tags
sunset · summer · passing time · human deeds · joy and sorrow
What this Textopian page supports
Sundown is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Meditative Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry
- Length: 152 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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