Leaves by Sara Teasdale (1917)
The poem explores themes of loss, transformation, and newfound awareness. The speaker reflects on the gradual abandonment of their beliefs, likening this process to leaves falling from a tree. Each lost faith represents a shedding of previous certainties, leading to a stark realization of the world around them. Initially, the speaker expresses a sense of contentment in their previous state, where they were akin to a tree, providing beauty and comfort without deeper understanding. However, the loss of these "leaves" symbolizes a painful yet liberating experience. As the leaves fall, the speaker gains clarity, allowing them to perceive the stars and the earth more vividly. The imagery of the stars and the earth serves as a contrast to the earlier, more sheltered existence. The speaker acknowledges the beauty of the universe and the grounding presence of the earth, suggesting a shift from a passive existence to an active engagement with reality. The poem concludes with a sense of enlightenment, where the speaker embraces their new perspective, recognizing the value of both the celestial and terrestrial elements of life. This journey from ignorance to awareness encapsulates the essence of personal growth through loss.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 166 words
First lines
ONE by one, like leaves from a tree, All my faiths have forsaken me; But the stars above my head Burn in white and delicate red, And beneath my feet the earth Brings the sturdy grass to birth.
I who was content to be But a silken-singing tree, But a rustle of delight In the wistful heart of night -- I have lost the leaves that knew Touch of rain and weight of dew.
Blinded by a leafy crown I looked neither up nor down -- But the little leaves that die Have left me room to see the sky; Now for the first time I know Stars above and earth below.
What this Textopian page supports
Leaves 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, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Symbolism, Modernist Poetry
- Length: 166 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and explores themes of loss and enlightenment.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The imagery of leaves, stars, and earth highlights a connection to nature.
- Symbolism — The leaves symbolize faiths and experiences, representing deeper meanings.
Tags
nature · loss · faith · transformation · self-discovery · reflection · beauty · existence · change · growth · melancholy · hope