Anadyomene by Sara Teasdale (1917)
The poem explores themes of love, beauty, and the divine through the speaker's reverence for Aphrodite, the goddess of love. The speaker enters a vast, radiant world, seeking a connection with the divine while leaving behind the celestial music of the stars. This act of worship signifies a longing for love and understanding, as the speaker implores the goddess for mercy and guidance. The imagery of the temple and the stars emphasizes the contrast between the infinite cosmos and the intimate human experience. The speaker acknowledges the wisdom of others who seek the gods, yet feels a personal urgency in their quest for love. The invocation of Aphrodite highlights the deep emotional and spiritual connection the speaker desires, suggesting that love is both a divine gift and a profound human need. As the poem progresses, the speaker's plea becomes more intimate, expressing a desire for the goddess to reveal herself in human forms. This yearning reflects the universal search for love and connection, as the speaker grapples with the tension between the divine and the earthly. The closing lines encapsulate a sense of longing and a desire for liberation, indicating that the search for love is both a journey and a struggle. Overall, the work captures the essence of human desire for love, the quest for divine connection, and the interplay between the celestial and the terrestrial. The speaker's journey is both personal and universal, resonating with anyone who has sought love and meaning in their life.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 159 words
First lines
The wide, bright temple of the world I found, And entered from the dizzy infinite That I might kneel and worship thee in it; Leaving the singing stars their ceaseless round Of silver music sound on orbed sound, For measured spaces where the shrines are lit, And men with wisdom or with little wit Implore the gods that mercy may abound. Ah, Aphrodite, was it not from thee My summons came across the endless spaces? Mother of Love, turn not thy face from me Now that I seek for thee in human faces; Answer my prayer or set my spirit free Again to drift along the starry places.
What this Textopian page supports
Anadyomene is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Spiritual Poetry, Imagism
- Length: 159 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, beauty, and nature align with Romantic ideals.
- Symbolism — Use of symbols like Aphrodite and celestial imagery reflects Symbolist traits.
- Spiritual Poetry — The poem explores themes of worship and the divine, indicating a spiritual dimension.
Tags
love · worship · Aphrodite · nature · spirituality · longing · beauty · mythology · human experience · divinity · freedom · poetry