Pierrot's Song by Sara Teasdale
The poem presents a melancholic and romantic scene where a character, Pierrot, expresses his longing and emotional turmoil through song. Set against a backdrop of dawn, the imagery evokes a sense of beauty and fragility. Pierrot stands beneath a window, yearning for a lady who symbolizes both inspiration and unattainable love. His song serves as a means to alleviate his heartache, yet he is aware of the ephemeral nature of the moment. As the petals fall and the stars fade, the urgency of his plea intensifies. He invites the lady to join him, suggesting that her presence is vital to his emotional survival. The interplay between hope and despair is evident, as he wishes to create more verses for her, but is interrupted by her arrival, which leaves him with an unfulfilled desire to express his feelings further. The poem captures the essence of unrequited love, the beauty of longing, and the bittersweet nature of artistic expression. Pierrot's character embodies the archetype of the tragic lover, whose art is both a refuge and a reminder of his solitude. The tension between the desire for connection and the reality of separation permeates the work, leaving a lingering sense of poignancy.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1915 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Symbolism · 141 words
First lines
(For a picture by Dugald Walker)
LADY, light in the east hangs low, Draw your veils of dream apart, Under the casement stands Pierrot Making a song to ease his heart.
(Yet do not break the song too soon -- I love to sing in the paling moon.)
The petals are falling, heavy with dew, The stars have fainted out of the sky, Come to me, come, or else I too, Faint with the weight of love will die.
What this Textopian page supports
Pierrot's Song is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1915 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: 1915 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Symbolism, Modernist Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 141 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Pierrot's Song by Sara Teasdale
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Pierrot's Song?
- How does this poem by Sara Teasdale fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Rose by Sara Teasdale
- Lewti Or The Circassian Love Chaunt by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- The Song For Colin by Sara Teasdale
- Pierrot by Sara Teasdale
- I Love You by Sara Teasdale
- Deep In The Night by Sara Teasdale
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses deep emotions and personal feelings, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romantic Poetry — Themes of love and longing are central, aligning with the romantic tradition.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and symbols, such as 'light in the east' and 'petals,' reflects symbolic elements.
- Modernist Poetry — The poem's structure and themes reflect modernist tendencies in exploring emotional depth.
Tags
love · longing · melancholy · dreams · nature · moonlight · heartbreak · poetry · romance · yearning · beauty · loss