A December Day by Sara Teasdale
The poem captures a winter day, emphasizing the stark beauty and quietude of the season. It begins with the imagery of dawn, where the light is muted and the landscape is blanketed in snow. The description of the willow trees, heavy with snow, sets a serene yet somber tone. The day progresses slowly, marked by the sounds of nature, such as a blue jay's call, which contrasts with the stillness of the environment. As the day wanes, the fading light is depicted through the imagery of snow-covered windows, hinting at the encroaching darkness. The delicate frost patterns on the glass symbolize the fragility of the moment and the transient nature of time. The poem evokes a sense of introspection, reflecting on the quiet solitude that winter brings, as well as the beauty found in stillness and simplicity. The overall mood is contemplative, inviting readers to appreciate the nuances of a cold, wintry day.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1920 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Lyric · 78 words
First lines
Dawn turned on her purple pillow / And late, late came the winter day, / Snow was curved to the boughs of the willow, / The sunless world was white and grey.
At noon we heard a blue-jay scolding, / At five the last thin light was lost / From snow-banked windows faintly holding / The feathery filigree of frost.
What this Textopian page supports
A December Day is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1920 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: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Lyric, Romanticism, Seasonal
- Length: 78 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A December Day by Sara Teasdale
- 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
Similar titles
- To Ottilie by Robert Louis Stevenson
- My Heart When First The Black Bird Sings by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Jolly Yellow Moon by Robert Graves
- Twilight by Sara Teasdale
- About The Sheltered Garden Ground by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing poetic devices and structure.
- Nature — The themes focus on winter imagery and the natural world.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections related to the season.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on nature and emotional experience aligns with Romantic themes.
Tags
winter · nature · snow · December · daylight · solitude · beauty · melancholy · seasons · poetry · landscape · stillness