Burning Drift-Wood
The poem describes a scene of a winter's night where the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the fleeting nature of life. The driftwood serves as a metaphor for the remnants of human existence that are left behind after the passage of time. The speaker notes how the wood, once part of a living tree, is now reduced to mere ashes, symbolizing the transience of human life.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1858 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical Poetry · 671 words
First lines
Before my drift-wood fire I sit, And see, with every waif I burn, Old dreams and fancies coloring it, And folly's unlaid ghosts return.
O ships of mine, whose swift keels cleft The enchanted sea on which they sailed, Are these poor fragments only left Of vain desires and hopes that failed?
What this Textopian page supports
Burning Drift-Wood is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1858 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1858 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical Poetry, Reflective Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 671 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- The Singer by John Greenleaf Whittier
- What Redress by James Whitcomb Riley
- It Was Upon by Edward Thomas
- Encore by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Passing Glory by Madison Cawein
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal expression and emotional depth, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, individualism, and the exploration of emotions align with Romantic ideals.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem reflects on life, loss, and the search for meaning, indicative of philosophical inquiry.
- Reflective Poetry — The introspective nature of the poem suggests a deep reflection on past experiences and wisdom gained.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature Imagery · Symbolism · Metaphor · Imagery · Figurative Language · Free Verse · Romanticism · Mortality · Loss