Here, Perfect to a Wish
The work is a playful and self-referential poem that presents itself as a literary offering. It humorously describes itself as a "platter" rather than a "dish," suggesting it is more of a presentation than a substantial work. The text acknowledges its own disorganized nature, likening it to the disruption of May flowers by frost. The poem reflects on the nature of books and pamphlets, hinting at the superficiality of appearances versus the depth of content. It is a light-hearted exploration of literary form and presentation.
By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1885 · Genre: Poetry, Experimental Literature, Metafiction · 72 words
First lines
Here, perfect to a wish, / We offer, not a dish, / But just the platter: / A book that's not a book, / A pamphlet in the look / But not the matter.
I own in disarray; / As to the flowers of May / The frosts of
What this Textopian page supports
Here, Perfect to a Wish is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Experimental Literature, Metafiction, Literary Humor
- Length: 72 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Here, Perfect to a Wish by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Poetry — The work's structure, language, and use of verse mark it as primarily a poetic piece.
- Experimental Literature — The unconventional presentation and meta-commentary on the nature of a book indicate an experimental approach.
- Metafiction — The text reflects on its own form, blurring the lines between book and pamphlet, which is characteristic of metafiction.
- Literary Humor — The playful tone and self-aware style suggest elements of humor that comment on literary norms.
Tags
fantasy · allegory · adventure · mystery · existential · symbolism · fable · transformation · magic realism · introspection · folklore · quest
More by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Treasure Island (1883)
- The Pavilion on the Links (1909)
- Olalla (1885)
- A Child's Garden of Verses (1885)
- Father Damien, An Open Letter To The Reverend Doctor Hyde Of Honolulu (1914)
- A Lowden Sabbath Morn (1916)
- Songs of Travel and Other Verses (1908)
- Prayers Written At Vailima (1916)
- All works by Robert Louis Stevenson