Invocation
The poem Invocation is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. It begins with a call to the spirits of the dead to rise up and join in the speaker's lament for the passing of time. The speaker reflects on how quickly youth and beauty fade, and how even the most enduring works of art are subject to decay. The poem then shifts to a consideration of the afterlife, where the speaker imagines the souls of the departed gathering to celebrate their reunion with one another. However, this vision is tempered by the recognition that even in death, there is no true escape from the ravages of time. Ultimately, the poem concludes on a note of resignation and acceptance, as the speaker acknowledges that all things must come to an end, including life itself.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism · 245 words
First lines
Through Thy clear spaces, Lord, of old, Formless and void the dead earth rolled; Deaf to Thy heaven's sweet music, blind To the great lights which o'er it shined; No sound, no ray, no warmth, no breath, -- A dumb despair, a wandering death.
To that dark, weltering horror came Thy spirit, like a subtle flame, -- A breath of life electrical, Awakening and transforming all, Till beat and thrilled in every part The pulses of a living heart.
Then knew their bounds the land and sea; Then smiled the bloom of mead and tree; From flower to moth, from beast to man, The quick creative impulse ran; And earth, with life from thee renewed, Was in thy holy eyesight good.
What this Textopian page supports
Invocation is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1827 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: 1827 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Nature Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophical Poetry, Lyric Poetry
- Length: 245 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Invocation by John Greenleaf Whittier
- 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 Invocation?
- How does this poem by John Greenleaf Whittier fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Religious Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Two Schools Lyrics by Henry Van Dyke
- The Word by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Chapel Of The Hermits by John Greenleaf Whittier
- An Oak by John Gould Fletcher
- Encore by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Wishing Bridge by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of divine presence, creation, and spiritual awakening, characteristic of religious poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The imagery of nature and the transformation of the earth reflects a deep connection to the natural world.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion, nature, and the sublime aligns with the principles of Romantic literature.
- Philosophical Poetry — The exploration of existence, purpose, and the relationship between humanity and the divine indicates philosophical themes.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Nature · Spirituality · Meditation · Philosophy · Existentialism · Free Verse · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor