The Metropolitan Tower
The poem explores themes of love, memory, and the passage of time through a shared experience between two individuals. The setting is an evening walk, where the speaker and their companion observe a tower illuminated against the dusk. The imagery of the tower, with its "flower of amber light," symbolizes beauty and the fleeting nature of moments. As they converse, the speaker is deeply attuned to their companion's words, indicating a profound emotional connection. The transition from light to darkness signifies the inevitable passage of time and the realization of love. The speaker recognizes a pivotal moment when love is born, marked by the change in light, which the companion remains unaware of. The juxtaposition of the external environment and internal emotions highlights the contrast between the speaker's awareness and the companion's oblivion. The poem encapsulates the essence of a transformative moment, where love is acknowledged in silence, and the beauty of the experience is tinged with a sense of melancholy as it is fleeting. The imagery and emotional depth create a poignant reflection on the nature of love and the significance of shared moments.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1920 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Imagist Poetry · 118 words
First lines
We walked together in the dusk To watch the tower grow dimly white, And saw it lift against the sky Its flower of amber light.
You talked of half a hundred things, I kept each little word you said; And when at last the hour was full, I saw the light turn red.
You did not know the time had come, You did not see the sudden flower, Nor know that in my heart Love's birth Was reckoned from that hour.
What this Textopian page supports
The Metropolitan Tower 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: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Imagist Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Nature Poetry
- Length: 118 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Metropolitan Tower by Sara Teasdale
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Metropolitan Tower?
- 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 — Themes of love and beauty are central, aligning with the romantic genre.
- Imagist Poetry — The vivid imagery of the tower and light reflects the principles of Imagism.
- Modernist Poetry — The poem's structure and themes reflect modernist tendencies in exploring personal experience.
Tags
love · nostalgia · memory · romance · nature · light · dusk · tower · city · emotion · reflection · time