The Star by Sara Teasdale (1917)
The poem begins with a celestial star observing the Earth, particularly a serene pool that reflects its light. The star expresses admiration for the pool, offering its brilliance to be preserved within the depths of the water. It perceives the pool as a profound entity, deeper than the sea and as vast as the sky, yearning for a lasting connection. However, the tranquility is disrupted when a pig enters the scene, splashing and muddying the water. The pig's presence contrasts sharply with the star's ethereal beauty, causing the star to feel diminished and embarrassed. The once-clear reflection is now obscured, leading the star to retreat behind a cloud, symbolizing a loss of confidence and purity. The poem explores themes of beauty, vulnerability, and the impact of the mundane on the sublime. The star's initial pride and joy are overshadowed by the intrusion of the pig, representing the harsh realities that can tarnish idealistic visions. The imagery evokes a sense of fragility in the face of life's disruptions, highlighting the tension between the celestial and the earthly. The star's retreat signifies a longing for preservation of its beauty, yet it also reflects the inevitability of being affected by the world below.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism · 191 words
First lines
A WHITE star born in the evening glow Looked to the round green world below, And saw a pool in a wooded place That held like a jewel her mirrored face.
She said to the pool: "Oh, wondrous deep, I love you, I give you my light to keep.
Oh, more profound than the moving sea That never has shown myself to me! Oh, fathomless as the sky is far, Hold forever your tremulous star!"
But out of the woods as night grew cool A brown pig came to the little pool; It grunted and splashed and waded in And the deepest place but reached its chin.
What this Textopian page supports
The Star is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Romanticism, Symbolism, Fantasy
- Length: 191 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and structure, focusing on imagery and emotional expression.
- Nature — The poem explores themes of nature, particularly through the depiction of the star and the pool, highlighting the beauty and interaction of natural elements.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, beauty, and the idealization of nature align with Romantic literary traditions.
- Symbolism — The star and the pool serve as symbols representing deeper emotional and existential themes.
Tags
nature · star · reflection · pool · beauty · innocence · contrast · night · light · water · emotion · imagery