Spring Night by Sara Teasdale (1923)
The poem explores the tension between the appreciation of beauty in nature and the longing for love. The setting is a serene park enveloped in night and fog, where the speaker observes the dim lights and shimmering reflections on the lake. This beauty evokes a sense of joy and reverence, prompting the speaker to question why such splendor is insufficient. Despite the enchanting surroundings, the speaker feels a deep yearning for love, suggesting that beauty alone cannot fulfill the emotional void. The speaker grapples with feelings of dissatisfaction, pondering the reasons behind this longing. The contrast between the external beauty of the night and the internal emotional struggle highlights the complexity of human desire, emphasizing that even in the presence of overwhelming beauty, the need for love remains a powerful and unquenchable force. The poem ultimately reflects on the interplay between nature's allure and the human heart's yearning for connection.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1923 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry · 227 words
First lines
THE park is filled with night and fog, The veils are drawn about the world, The drowsy lights along the paths Are dim and pearled.
Gold and gleaming the empty streets, Gold and gleaming the misty lake, The mirrored lights like sunken swords, Glimmer and shake.
Oh, is it not enough to be Here with this beauty over me? My throat should ache with praise, and I Should kneel in joy beneath the sky.
Oh, beauty are you not enough?
What this Textopian page supports
Spring Night is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1923 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: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Nature Poetry, Existential Poetry, Modernism
- Length: 227 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Spring Night by Sara Teasdale
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on beauty and love, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of beauty, nature, and emotional depth align with Romantic ideals.
- Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of the park, night, and fog emphasizes the connection to nature.
- Existential Poetry — The exploration of dissatisfaction and longing for love reflects existential themes.
Tags
nature · beauty · night · spring · emotion · longing · reflection · solitude · poetry · light · fog · lake