A Song of Love by Virna Sheard
The work is a lyrical meditation on the enigmatic and boundless nature of love. It argues that love defies conventional measures such as time, space, and physical dimensions. Moments of affection and joy are presented as fleeting yet intense, akin to the swift passage of a meteor, while periods of sorrow stretch out as if weighed down by an unyielding, inexorable force. In its exploration, the text contrasts the ephemeral nature of love’s brightest moments with the prolonged impact of its absence, suggesting that love's presence can transform even a confined existence into a realm of light and freedom. Throughout its verses, the piece underscores the idea that love is autonomous and self-regulating. It is portrayed as a force that operates outside the boundaries of established laws or moral codes, instead creating a unique set of principles—self-sufficient and self-forgiving. This self-contained system is capable of both blessing and absolving, offering redemption without recourse to external judgments. The language is rich in metaphor, equating love with an all-consuming light that illuminates the soul when near, yet casts everything into darkness when absent. An underlying theme is the duality inherent in love: it is both liberating and binding. The work intimates that while love can elevate individuals into realms of sublime joy, it can simultaneously become a source of existential confinement, almost as if love establishes its own kind of imprisonment. The juxtaposition of swift, carefree moments with the dragging, heavy passage of time in moments of despair emphasizes the paradoxical character of love—a phenomenon that is both a fleeting enchantment and an enduring, sometimes oppressive, presence in human experience. In essence, the work offers a reflection on the ineffable qualities of love as an emotion that transcends human metrics and rational explanation. It invites the reader to consider love not as a commodity measured by conventional units but as a dynamic, transformative force that shapes, and is shaped by, both the heights of ecstasy and the depths of sorrow. The verse asserts that despite its seeming contradictions, love remains the supreme, unfailing guide—its own best law, marked by an inherent tendency toward forgiveness and unconditional benevolence.
By Virna Sheard · First published 1907 · Genre: Romance, Poetry, Philosophy · 143 words
First lines
Love reckons not by time -- its May days of delight Are swifter than the falling stars that pass beyond our sight.
Love reckons not by time -- its moments of despair Are years that march like prisoners, who drag the chains they wear.
Love counts not by the sun -- it hath no night or day -- 'Tis only light when love is near -- 'tis dark with love away.
Love hath no measurements of height, or depth, or space, But yet within a little grave it oft hath found a place.
What this Textopian page supports
A Song of Love is listed on Textopian as a short story by Virna Sheard, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Virna Sheard
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Poetry, Philosophy, Classic Literature
- Length: 143 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Song of Love by Virna Sheard
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Loves Tributaries by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Romance — The work centrally explores the multifaceted nature of love and its impact on human emotion.
- Poetry — The writing style is distinctly lyrical and structured in poetic form.
- Philosophy — It reflects on the abstract and timeless qualities of love, prompting philosophical thought.
- Classic Literature — The language and thematic approach echo traditional literary expressions found in historical works.
Tags
romance · passion · relationships · intimacy · emotion · drama · heartbreak · historical · social commentary · class dynamics · identity · self-discovery