The Cloud by Sara Teasdale (1915)
The poem presents a speaker who identifies as a cloud, embodying freedom and change. The cloud revels in its ability to traverse the sky, casting shadows over landscapes and interacting with celestial bodies. Despite its tireless and unrestrained nature, the cloud is haunted by a persistent call from the pines on the mountain, urging it to find rest. This juxtaposition highlights a tension between the desire for freedom and the longing for peace and stability. As the cloud moves through the heavens, it expresses a sense of joy in its existence, relishing the beauty of the world below. However, the repeated whisper of the pines introduces a theme of yearning for tranquility, suggesting that even the most liberated entities may seek solace. The imagery evokes a sense of both wonder and melancholy, as the cloud grapples with its identity and the implications of its relentless journey. The poem explores the duality of existence—freedom versus rest, movement versus stillness. The cloud's interactions with the sun and moon symbolize the transient nature of life and the inevitability of change. Yet, the persistent call from the pines serves as a reminder of the comfort found in stillness and the natural world. Ultimately, the work reflects on the complexities of existence, where the pursuit of freedom can lead to a longing for rest, and the beauty of the journey is intertwined with the desire for peace. The cloud's experience resonates with the universal human condition, capturing the essence of longing and the search for balance in a world of constant change.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1915 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism · 139 words
First lines
I AM a cloud in the heaven's height, The stars are lit for my delight, Tireless and changeful, swift and free, I cast my shadow on hill and sea -- But why do the pines on the mountain's crest Call to me always, "Rest, rest"?
I throw my mantle over the moon And I blind the sun on his throne at noon, Nothing can tame me, nothing can bind, I am a child of the heartless wind -- But oh the pines on the mountain's crest Whispering always, "Rest, rest. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Cloud 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: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism, Symbolism, Existentialism
- Length: 139 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and explores themes of nature and existential reflection.
- Nature — The poem personifies a cloud and reflects on its relationship with natural elements like the moon, sun, and pines.
- Romanticism — The themes of beauty, emotion, and the sublime in nature align with Romantic literary ideals.
- Symbolism — The cloud serves as a symbol for freedom and the transient nature of existence.
Tags
cloud · nature · freedom · change · transience · rest · whispers · heaven · stars · shadow · mountains · pines