Fear by Sara Teasdale (1919)
The poem explores the profound and paralyzing nature of fear, particularly in the context of existential dread and the inevitability of death. The speaker expresses a deep sense of vulnerability and isolation, evoking memories of childhood fears that resurface in adulthood. The imagery of darkness symbolizes the unknown and the overwhelming anxiety that accompanies it. The speaker's heart races with the anticipation of death, highlighting a struggle between the desire for life and the encroaching reality of mortality. The poem reflects on the longing for comfort and companionship in the face of fear, questioning why loved ones cannot alleviate this terror. The juxtaposition of light and darkness emphasizes the speaker's yearning for safety and warmth, contrasting the joy of life with the coldness of death. The repeated pleas for help underscore a sense of abandonment, as the speaker grapples with the idea of facing the ultimate fear alone. Throughout the work, the emotional intensity builds, capturing the essence of human vulnerability. The speaker's internal conflict reveals a universal struggle with fear, making the poem resonate with anyone who has confronted their own mortality. The imagery and tone convey a haunting sense of despair, ultimately leaving the reader to reflect on the nature of fear and the human condition.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1919 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Existential · 179 words
First lines
I am afraid, oh I am so afraid! / The cold black fear is clutching me to-night / As long ago when they would take the light / And leave the little child who would have prayed, / Frozen and sleepless at the thought of death. / My heart that beats too fast will rest too soon; / I shall not know if it be night or noon, -- / Yet shall I struggle in the dark for breath? / Will no one fight the Terror for my sake, / The heavy darkness that no dawn will break? / How can they leave me in that dark alone, / Who loved the joy of light and warmth so much, / And thrilled so with the sense of sound and touch, -- / How can they shut me underneath a stone?
What this Textopian page supports
Fear is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1919 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: 1919 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric, Existential, Romanticism, Gothic
- Length: 179 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Fear by Sara Teasdale
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that explores deep emotional themes through structured verse.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and emotions, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Existential — The themes of fear, death, and isolation reflect existential concerns.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion and individual experience aligns with Romantic literary themes.
Tags
fear · darkness · death · anxiety · loneliness · struggle · terror · childhood · light · warmth · sleeplessness · despair