The Morning Drum-Call on My Eager Ear
The poem reflects on the passage of time and the lingering impact of past experiences. The speaker recalls the invigorating sound of a morning drum-call, which remains vivid in memory. The imagery of morning dew suggests freshness and the beginning of a day, contrasting with the speaker's current state of pausing and reflecting. The speaker is conscious of time slipping away, fearing the approach of evening signaled by the sunset gun, which symbolizes the end of the day and, metaphorically, the end of life or opportunities. The poem captures a sense of nostalgia and the tension between past vitality and present apprehension.
By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1885 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Poetry, Pastoral Poetry · 67 words
First lines
The morning drum-call on my eager ear / Thrills unforgotten yet; the morning dew / Lies yet undried along my field of noon.
But now I pause at whiles in what I do, / And count the bell, and tremble lest I hear / (My work untrimmed) the sunset gun too soon.
What this Textopian page supports
The Morning Drum-Call on My Eager Ear 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, Nature Poetry, Pastoral Poetry, Reflective Poetry, Philosophical Poetry
- Length: 67 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Morning Drum-Call on My Eager Ear by Robert Louis Stevenson
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a structured poem using rhythmic language and imagery to convey its message.
- Nature Poetry — It emphasizes natural elements such as the morning dew and field, underscoring the beauty of the natural world.
- Pastoral Poetry — The poem reflects on rural life and landscapes, capturing the essence of a pastoral setting.
- Reflective Poetry — It meditates on the passage of time and the transience of life, prompting self-reflection.
Tags
poetic · reflective · romantic · evocative · symbolic · melodic · imagistic · aesthetic · classic · cultural · contemplative · passionate
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