Dreams by Sara Teasdale (1917)
The poem explores themes of love, memory, and the haunting nature of dreams. The speaker reflects on a past relationship, revealing a deep emotional connection that persists despite the passage of time. The act of giving oneself to a lover is portrayed as both a profound commitment and a source of lingering pain. The imagery of dreams serves as a conduit for the past, suggesting that memories can resurface unexpectedly, evoking strong feelings. The speaker experiences a physical reaction to these memories, indicating the intensity of their emotional state. The presence of a "ghostly giver" symbolizes the enduring impact of lost love, suggesting that even in absence, the past continues to influence the present. As the poem progresses, the tension between reality and dreams becomes more pronounced. The speaker grapples with the duality of their experiences—while they have moved on, the emotional residue remains. The juxtaposition of waking life and the dream world highlights the struggle to reconcile past affections with current realities. Ultimately, the work delves into the complexities of love and loss, illustrating how dreams can evoke both nostalgia and sorrow. The speaker's journey reflects a universal experience of longing and the inescapable nature of memory, emphasizing that some connections transcend time and space. The poem captures the bittersweet essence of reminiscing about love, revealing the profound impact it has on one's identity and emotional landscape.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 88 words
First lines
I GAVE my life to another lover, I gave my love, and all, and all -- But over a dream the past will hover, Out of a dream the past will call.
I tear myself from sleep with a shiver But on my breast a kiss is hot, And by my bed the ghostly giver Is waiting tho' I see him not.
What this Textopian page supports
Dreams 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, Symbolism, Modernism
- Length: 88 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Dreams by Sara Teasdale
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of love, dreams, and memory through lyrical language.
- Romanticism — The poem embodies romantic themes, focusing on deep emotional experiences and the idealization of love.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Symbolism — The use of dreams and ghosts symbolizes deeper emotional states and the interplay between reality and memory.
Tags
dreams · love · loss · memory · longing · ghosts · passion · sacrifice · yearning · sleep · awakening · nostalgia