A Cry by Sara Teasdale (1918)
The poem explores themes of love, longing, and the limitations of physical connection. The speaker expresses a deep emotional bond with a lover, emphasizing the disparity between physical presence and emotional expression. The imagery of eyes, hands, and lips highlights the tangible aspects of love, yet the speaker feels reduced to merely a voice or a cry, suggesting a sense of isolation and unfulfilled desire. The speaker grapples with the idea that despite the physical attributes available to the lover, their own existence is diminished to an intangible sound, reflecting a profound yearning for deeper connection. The repetition of the word "only" underscores the speaker's feelings of inadequacy and the pain of being unable to fully embody the love they wish to express. As the poem progresses, the emotional intensity builds, revealing the speaker's internal struggle between the desire for physical intimacy and the reality of their emotional state. The contrast between the physical and the emotional serves to highlight the complexities of love, where one can feel deeply connected yet simultaneously distant. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the essence of unreciprocated love, where the speaker's voice becomes a symbol of their longing, echoing the sentiment that true connection transcends mere physicality. The poem concludes with a poignant reflection on the nature of love, leaving the reader with a sense of the bittersweet reality of emotional yearning.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1918 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Modernist Poetry · 77 words
First lines
OH, there are eyes that he can see, And hands to make his hands rejoice, But to my lover I must be Only a voice.
Oh, there are breasts to bear his head, And lips whereon his lips can lie, But I must be till I am dead Only a cry.
What this Textopian page supports
A Cry is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sara Teasdale
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Symbolism, Confessional Poetry
- Length: 77 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Cry by Sara Teasdale
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- The Kiss by Sara Teasdale
- Song by Sara Teasdale
- The Kiss by Robert Graves
- Four Winds by Sara Teasdale
- I Am Not Yours by Sara Teasdale
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romantic Poetry — Themes of love and longing are central, aligning with the romantic genre.
- Modernist Poetry — The style and emotional depth reflect modernist influences in poetry.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and metaphor conveys deeper meanings, typical of symbolism.
Tags
love · longing · loss · despair · voice · silence · yearning · heartbreak · intimacy · separation · identity · existence