Buried Love by Sara Teasdale (1917)
The poem explores themes of love, loss, and the struggle to move on from a deep emotional connection. The speaker expresses a desire to bury their love in a secluded forest, symbolizing a wish to hide their pain from the world. The act of burial signifies the end of a relationship that was both cherished and painful, as indicated by the description of the love as "bittersweet." The speaker rejects traditional mourning rituals, such as placing flowers or a headstone, suggesting a reluctance to acknowledge the depth of their grief publicly. Instead, they choose to distance themselves from the grave, indicating a desire to avoid confronting the reality of their loss. The imagery of the cold woods contrasts with the warmth of the sun, representing the speaker's attempt to seek joy and solace in life while grappling with sorrow. Despite the outward appearance of moving forward, the speaker reveals their inner turmoil, particularly at night when solitude allows for reflection and mourning. The juxtaposition of daytime joy and nighttime sorrow highlights the complexity of healing from a profound emotional experience. Ultimately, the poem captures the tension between the desire to forget and the inevitability of remembering, illustrating the enduring impact of love even after it has been buried.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric Poetry · 137 words
First lines
I shall bury my weary Love Beneath a tree, In the forest tall and black Where none can see.
I shall put no flowers at his head, Nor stone at his feet, For the mouth I loved so much Was bittersweet.
I shall go no more to his grave, For the woods are cold. I shall gather as much of joy As my hands can hold.
I shall stay all day in the sun Where the wide winds blow, But oh, I shall weep at night When none will know.
What this Textopian page supports
Buried Love 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: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Elegy
- Length: 137 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of love, loss, and mourning through lyrical expression.
- Romanticism — The poem reflects romantic themes, focusing on deep emotional experiences and the beauty of nature.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem is personal and emotional, expressing the speaker's feelings and thoughts directly.
- Nature Poetry — Nature imagery is prominent, with references to the forest and the elements, enhancing the emotional landscape.
Tags
love · loss · grief · nature · solitude · memory · sorrow · bittersweet · mourning · reflection · heartbreak · emotional