Hidden Love by Sara Teasdale (1917)
The poem explores the theme of unexpressed love, emphasizing the speaker's desire to conceal their deep feelings for another person. The speaker hides their love within their heart, masking it with laughter to prevent the beloved from discovering their true emotions. This concealment is portrayed as a protective measure, allowing the speaker to maintain a semblance of normalcy in their interactions. The speaker reflects on the possibility that their love may still reach the beloved in subtle ways. In dreams, where the boundaries of reality blur, the speaker imagines their love manifesting as a comforting presence, bringing solace and beauty to the beloved's subconscious. This connection suggests a profound bond that transcends verbal expression, hinting at the idea that love can exist in the unseen and unacknowledged. Additionally, the poem touches on the theme of healing. The speaker contemplates moments when the beloved experiences emotional pain, suggesting that their hidden love may play a role in alleviating that suffering. This notion reinforces the idea that love, even when unspoken, can have a significant impact on another's well-being. Overall, the work encapsulates the complexities of love that is kept secret, highlighting the tension between desire and restraint, and the hope that love can still find a way to connect two souls, even in silence.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Lyric · 114 words
First lines
I hid the love within my heart, And lit the laughter in my eyes, That when we meet he may not know My love that never dies.
But sometimes when he dreams at night Of fragrant forests green and dim, It may be that my love crept out And brought the dream to him.
And sometimes when his heart is sick And suddenly grows well again, It may be that my love was there To free his life of pain.
What this Textopian page supports
Hidden 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, Romance, Lyric, Symbolism, Nature
- Length: 114 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Hidden Love by Sara Teasdale
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of hidden love and emotional expression through lyrical language.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love, particularly unexpressed or concealed affection.
- Lyric — The poem employs a personal and emotional tone typical of lyric poetry, focusing on the speaker's inner feelings.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and symbols, such as 'hidden love' and dreams, conveys deeper emotional truths.
Tags
love · hidden emotions · unrequited love · longing · heartbreak · dreams · nature · suffering · healing · introspection · romantic poetry · yearning