The Kiss by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Name: The Kiss
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem explores themes of love, desire, and the interplay between innocence and passion. The speaker expresses a longing for a kiss from a beloved, who initially denies this request. The speaker questions the reasons behind the refusal, suggesting that a kiss is harmless and filled with bliss. Nature is invoked to illustrate the beauty and innocence of love; the spirit of the Western Gale is depicted as a gentle force that caresses flowers, drawing a parallel to the tender affection the speaker seeks. The imagery of the rose symbolizes beauty and the blossoming of love, while the act of kissing is portrayed as a natural and joyous expression of affection. The beloved's bashfulness is highlighted, as her blush signifies both shyness and allure. The speaker admires her lips, comparing them to the rose, and suggests that they should be open to the sweetness of love. The tension between the spoken "no" and the unspoken desire creates a playful dynamic, where the refusal is seen as a sweet pretense that ultimately enhances the allure of consent. The poem culminates in the idea that even a gentle denial can be endearing, as it invites a deeper exploration of affection. The interplay of coyness and desire emphasizes the complexity of romantic interactions, where the boundaries of consent and longing are delicately navigated. The speaker's yearning is palpable, and the imagery evokes a sense of beauty and tenderness that characterizes the experience of love.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1798 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 278 words

First lines

One kiss, dear Maid! I said and sighed -- / Your scorn the little boon denied. / Ah why refuse the blameless bliss? / Can danger lurk within a kiss?

Yon viewless wanderer of the vale, / The Spirit of the Western Gale, / At Morning's break, at Evening's close / Inhales the sweetness of the Rose, / And hovers o'er the uninjured bloom / Sighing back the soft perfume. / Vigour to the Zephyr's wing / Her nectar-breathing kisses fling; / And He the glitter of the Dew / Scatters on the Rose's hue. / Bashful lo! she bends her head, / And darts a blush of deeper Red!

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Genres

Romantic Poetry — The poem explores themes of love, desire, and the beauty of romantic interactions, characteristic of Romantic poetry.
Lyric Poetry — The personal expression of emotions and feelings in a musical style aligns with the conventions of lyric poetry.
Nature Poetry — The imagery of nature, such as the Spirit of the Western Gale and the Rose, reflects the connection between love and the natural world.
Symbolism — The use of symbols like the kiss and the Rose conveys deeper meanings related to love and desire.

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The Kiss is listed on Textopian as a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1798 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1798 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Symbolism, Elegiac Poetry
Length: 278 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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