The Fountain by Sara Teasdale (1920)
The poem explores themes of existence, contentment, and the nature of freedom through the dialogue between a fountain and the speaker. The fountain, a symbol of tranquility and stability, reflects on its own existence, expressing a sense of fulfillment in its cyclical nature. It rises and falls within its stone basin, suggesting a serene acceptance of its limitations. The speaker questions the fountain's contentment, contrasting its stillness with the tumultuous freedom of the sea. The ocean represents a broader, more chaotic existence, filled with movement and change. The fountain acknowledges the ocean's laboring sound, indicating an awareness of the larger world beyond its confines. However, it ultimately concludes that both the ocean and the fountain are bound by their own natures, suggesting that true freedom is an illusion. The poem delves into the philosophical inquiry of what it means to be free. The fountain's acceptance of its role highlights a tension between the desire for freedom and the comfort found in stability. The imagery of the moon's influence on the ocean further emphasizes the interconnectedness of all elements in nature, reinforcing the idea that nothing is truly free from its inherent constraints. Through this dialogue, the work invites readers to reflect on their own lives, the balance between seeking freedom and finding peace in acceptance. The contrast between the fountain's stillness and the ocean's chaos serves as a metaphor for the human experience, where the pursuit of freedom often comes with its own set of challenges and limitations. Ultimately, the poem suggests that contentment can be found in embracing one's circumstances, even when they may seem restrictive.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1920 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 109 words
First lines
Fountain, fountain, what do you say / Singing at night alone? / "It is enough to rise and fall / Here in my basin of stone."
But are you content as you seem to be / So near the freedom and rush of the sea? / "I have listened all night to its laboring sound, / It heaves and sags, as the moon runs round; / Ocean and fountain, shadow and tree, / Nothing escapes, nothing is free. "
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The Fountain is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1920 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: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Modernist Poetry
- Length: 109 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of existence, freedom, and nature through lyrical language.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Nature Poetry — The imagery of the fountain and the sea highlights the connection to nature.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem contemplates deeper existential questions about freedom and contentment.
Tags
nature · water · fountain · ocean · freedom · reflection · solitude · night · sound · life · existence · contentment