The Look by Sara Teasdale (1915)
The poem explores themes of love, longing, and the profound impact of a gaze compared to physical affection. The speaker reflects on past romantic encounters, contrasting the fleeting nature of kisses from two suitors, Strephon and Robin, with the deeper emotional resonance of Colin's mere look. While the kisses are associated with lightheartedness and play, Colin's gaze leaves a lasting impression, suggesting that true connection transcends physical intimacy. The speaker is haunted by this unfulfilled desire, indicating that the emotional weight of Colin's attention is more significant than the transient experiences with the other two. The work delves into the complexities of attraction, the significance of unspoken feelings, and the haunting nature of unreciprocated love. The juxtaposition of physical and emotional connections highlights the idea that sometimes, a single look can evoke stronger feelings than a kiss, emphasizing the power of the eyes in conveying deeper sentiments. The poem ultimately captures the essence of yearning and the lingering effects of a profound, yet unfulfilled, emotional bond.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1915 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Imagist Poetry · 69 words
First lines
STREPHON kissed me in the spring, Robin in the fall, But Colin only looked at me And never kissed at all.
Strephon's kiss was lost in jest, Robin's lost in play, But the kiss in Colin's eyes Haunts me night and day.
What this Textopian page supports
The Look 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, Imagist Poetry, Narrative Poetry, Confessional Poetry
- Length: 69 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Look by Sara Teasdale
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Look?
- How does this poem by Sara Teasdale fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romantic Poetry — The themes of love and longing are central, aligning with the romantic genre.
- Imagist Poetry — The vivid imagery and focus on specific moments reflect imagist principles.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story of romantic encounters, fitting the narrative aspect.
Tags
love · longing · unrequited · spring · fall · nostalgia · youth · romance · poetry · emotion · desire · memory