Union Square by Sara Teasdale (1916)
The poem explores the theme of unrequited love through the lens of a woman walking with a man who does not reciprocate her feelings. Set against the backdrop of Union Square, the imagery of street lamps and the bustling city life highlights the contrast between her inner emotional turmoil and the external vibrancy of the world around her. As they walk together, she listens intently to his words, which are described as light and fleeting, while her own feelings remain unexpressed and unheard. The repetition of their walking emphasizes the ongoing nature of her longing and the futility of her situation. The mention of picture shows and girls with "thirsty eyes" suggests a broader commentary on desire and the societal expectations surrounding love and attraction. The poem culminates in a poignant farewell, where the woman's realization that her feelings are unacknowledged deepens her sense of isolation. The final lines reflect her awareness of the disparity between her experience and that of other women who can openly seek love, underscoring her emotional struggle and the societal pressures that shape romantic interactions. The work encapsulates the pain of unreciprocated affection and the yearning for connection amidst the vibrant life of the city.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1916 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 208 words
First lines
With the man I love who loves me not, / I walked in the street-lamps' flare; / We watched the world go home that night / In a flood through Union Square.
I leaned to catch the words he said / That were light as a snowflake falling; / Ah well that he never leaned to hear / The words my heart was calling.
And on we walked and on we walked / Past the fiery lights of the picture shows -- / Where the girls with thirsty eyes go by / On the errand each man knows.
And on we walked and on we walked, / At the door at last we said good-bye; / I knew by his smile he had not heard / My heart's unuttered cry.
What this Textopian page supports
Union Square is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1916 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: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Modernism, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 208 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Union Square 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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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of unrequited love and longing through lyrical language.
- Romanticism — The poem reflects romantic themes, focusing on emotional experiences and the complexities of love.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and emotions, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Modernism — The poem's exploration of individual experience and emotional depth aligns with modernist themes.
Tags
love · unrequited love · heartbreak · longing · city life · Union Square · nostalgia · romance · emotional turmoil · street lamps · night · goodbye