Garden by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem describes a garden that has been neglected and overgrown with weeds. The speaker reflects on the beauty of the garden in its prime, but notes how it has declined due to lack of care. The poem explores themes of decay, neglect, and the passage of time.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1837 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Spiritual/Religious · 249 words
First lines
The American Horticultural Society, 1882.
O painter of the fruits and flowers, We own wise design, Where these human hands of ours May share work of Thine!
Apart from Thee we plant in vain The root and sow the seed; Thy early and Thy later rain, Thy sun and dew we need.
Our toil is sweet with thankfulness, Our burden is our boon; The curse of Earth's gray morning is The blessing of its noon.
What this Textopian page supports
Garden is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1837 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: 1837 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Spiritual/Religious, Philosophical, Romanticism
- Length: 249 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Venus In A Garden by James Weldon Johnson
- Wedded by Emily Dickinson
- Loves Thoroughfare by Joyce Kilmer
- The First Flowers by John Greenleaf Whittier
- Songs Of Love And The Sea by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Just You by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Nature Writing — The themes focus on the beauty of nature, gardening, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
- Spiritual/Religious — The text reflects on divine creation and expresses gratitude towards a higher power.
- Philosophical — It explores deeper meanings related to existence, toil, and the human condition.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Romance · Garden · Love · Beauty · Symbolism · Metaphor · Imagery · Literary Device · Allegory · Feminine