As in their Flight the Birds of Song

Name: As in their Flight the Birds of Song
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

The work explores themes of transience, longing, and the passage of time through the metaphor of birds that briefly pause in their journey to sing before continuing onward. The speaker reflects on a character who, like the birds, experiences a fleeting connection to a nurturing figure, symbolized as a "Sun-Mother." This figure represents warmth, guidance, and the innocence of youth, but as the character matures, the connection fades due to the encroachment of societal demands and the relentless flow of time. The narrative illustrates the tension between the desire to return to a simpler, more nurturing past and the inevitability of moving forward into a complex world. The character's yearning for the past is juxtaposed with the harsh realities of adulthood, where the noise and chaos of life create a barrier to the cherished memories of childhood. The imagery of rivers and streams emphasizes the idea that once time has passed, it cannot be reclaimed, mirroring the natural progression of life. As the character grows, he becomes increasingly aware of the distance between his current existence and the warmth of his early days. The work captures the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, highlighting the struggle between holding onto the past and embracing the future. Ultimately, it reflects on the universal experience of growing up, the loss of innocence, and the longing for connection amidst the demands of life.

By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1895 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 315 words

First lines

AS in their flight the birds of song Halt here and there in sweet and sunny dales, But halt not overlong; The time one rural song to sing They pause; then following bounteous gales Steer forward on the wing: Sun-servers they, from first to last, Upon the sun they wait To ride the sailing blast.

So he awhile in our contested state, Awhile abode, not longer, for his Sun- Mother we say, no tenderer name we know- With whose diviner glow His early days had shone, Now to withdraw her radiance had begun.

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As in their Flight the Birds of Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1895 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Date: 1895 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Nature Writing, Philosophical
Length: 315 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs lyrical language, characteristic of poetry.
Romanticism — Themes of nature, longing, and emotional depth align with Romantic ideals.
Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
Nature Writing — The imagery of birds and natural settings emphasizes the connection to nature.