To Cleis by Sara Teasdale (1911)
The poem explores the deep emotional connection between a mother and her daughter, Cleis. It reflects on the mother's nurturing role, likening her to a muse who temporarily sets aside her artistic pursuits to care for her child. The imagery evokes a serene yet poignant atmosphere, emphasizing the beauty and fragility of early childhood. The speaker questions whether the muses, embodiments of inspiration, were present during moments of maternal affection, pondering their reactions to the mother's lullabies. The poem captures the essence of maternal love, highlighting the physical and emotional warmth shared between them. As Cleis grows, the speaker reflects on the passage of time and the inevitable fading of memories. The once-vibrant connection seems to diminish, leaving the speaker in a state of longing and silence. The imagery of a "windless tideless sea" symbolizes the stillness and emptiness felt in the absence of Cleis's presence. Ultimately, the work conveys themes of love, loss, and the bittersweet nature of memory, illustrating how the bond between mother and child can transcend time yet remain hauntingly elusive.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1911 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Sapphic Poetry · 251 words
First lines
"I have a fair daughter with a form like a golden flower, Cleis, the beloved. " Sapphic fragment.
When the dusk was wet with dew, Cleis, did the muses nine Listen in a silent line While your mother sang to you?
Did they weep or did they smile When she crooned to still your cries, She, a muse in human guise, Who forsook her lyre awhile?
Did you feel her wild heart beat? Did the warmth of all the sun Thro' your little body run When she kissed your hands and feet?
What this Textopian page supports
To Cleis is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1911 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: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Sapphic Poetry, Elegy, Imagism
- Length: 251 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, beauty, and nature are prevalent, aligning with Romantic ideals.
- Sapphic Poetry — The poem references Sappho and explores themes of female love and relationships.
- Elegy — The tone reflects mourning and loss, particularly in relation to the speaker's daughter.
Tags
Sapphic · love · motherhood · nostalgia · nature · beauty · loss · childhood · poetry · emotion · longing · memory