Not yet, My Soul, These Friendly Fields Desert
The poem reflects on the soul's reluctance to leave the familiar and comforting aspects of life. It emphasizes the connection between the soul and the natural world, where the soul has experienced joy, love, and the beauty of existence. The soul is urged not to depart yet, as there are still responsibilities and tasks to fulfill. The poem speaks to the intertwined nature of life and the obligations that come with it, suggesting that the soul has a duty to continue its journey and fulfill its purpose. The imagery of a ship ready to depart and the call of distant voices symbolizes the allure of freedom and rest, yet the soul is reminded of its commitments and the unfinished work that remains. The poem encourages perseverance and engagement with life, highlighting the importance of service, love, and the fulfillment of one's duties before departing from the earthly realm.
By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1885 · Genre: Poetry, Inspirational Poetry, Spiritual Poetry · 452 words
First lines
Not yet, my soul, these friendly fields desert, / Where thou with grass, and rivers, and the breeze, / And the bright face of day, thy dalliance hadst; / Where to thine ear first sang the enraptured birds; / Where love and thou that lasting bargain made.
The ship rides trimmed, and from the eternal shore / Thou hearest airy voices; but not yet / Depart, my soul, not yet a while depart.
What this Textopian page supports
Not yet, My Soul, These Friendly Fields Desert 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, Inspirational Poetry, Spiritual Poetry, Allegorical Poetry, Romantic Poetry
- Length: 452 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Not yet, My Soul, These Friendly Fields Desert 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Genres
- Poetry — The work is a structured verse composition utilizing rhythmic language and imagery typical of poetry.
- Inspirational Poetry — The text encourages perseverance, service, and the fulfillment of life's duties, serving as a motivational call to action.
- Spiritual Poetry — It explores themes of the soul, its eternal debt, and the divine connection that underpins human existence.
- Allegorical Poetry — The poem employs extended metaphors and symbolism to represent deeper existential and moral struggles.
Tags
poetic · reflective · melancholic · introspective · solitary · romantic · philosophical · emotive · nature-focused · spiritual · existential · contemplative
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