Nevermore by Mary Baker Eddy (1901)
The work explores themes of nostalgia, longing, and the contrast between joy and sorrow. It reflects on the passage of time and the yearning for a return to happier days, questioning whether true happiness can exist alongside suffering. The speaker expresses weariness from emotional pain and the cyclical nature of toil and despair, pondering the possibility of a future free from such burdens. The imagery of sowing and reaping symbolizes the human experience of effort and reward, suggesting a deep existential inquiry into the nature of life, love, and truth. The refrain emphasizes a sense of finality and resignation, encapsulating the struggle between hope and despair. The work ultimately invites contemplation on the relationship between past joys and present sorrows, leaving the reader to reflect on the nature of existence and the pursuit of lasting happiness.
By Mary Baker Eddy · First published 1901 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Spiritual · 239 words
First lines
Are the dear days ever coming again, As sweetly they came of yore, Singing the olden and dainty refrain, Oh, ever and nevermore?
Ever to gladness and never to tears, Ever the gross world above; Never to toiling and never to fears, Ever to Truth and to Love?
Can the forever of happiness be Outside this ever of pain? Will the hereafter from suffering free The weary of body and brain?
Weary of sobbing, like some tired child Over the tears it has shed; Weary of sowing the wayside and wild, Watching the husbandman fled;
What this Textopian page supports
Nevermore is listed on Textopian as a poem by Mary Baker Eddy, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Mary Baker Eddy
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical, Spiritual, Lyric, Romanticism
- Length: 239 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of nostalgia and existential reflection.
- Philosophical — The themes explore deep questions about happiness, suffering, and the nature of existence.
- Spiritual — The text reflects on concepts of truth, love, and the human condition, aligning with spiritual inquiries.
- Lyric — The emotional expression and personal reflection characteristic of lyric poetry are evident throughout the work.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Mystery · Thriller · Psychological Thriller · Crime · Detective · Suspense · Dark · Gothic · Paranormal · Supernatural · Horror