Poor Broken Flower

By Thomas Moore

Elegy
    Poor broken flower! what art can now recover thee?         Torn from the stem that fed thy rosy breath--             In vain the sunbeams seek             To warm that faded cheek;     The dews of heaven, that once like balm fell over thee;         Now are but tears, to weep thy early death.     So droops the maid whose lover hath forsaken her,--         Thrown from his arms, as lone and lost as thou;             In vain the smiles of all             Like sunbeams round her fall:     The only smile that could from death awaken her,         That smile, alas! is gone to others now.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem employs the elegiac tone and the theme of loss, beautifully juxtaposing the image of a broken flower with a forsaken maiden. The poet uses the metaphor of a withered flower to convey the sorrow and despair of a young woman abandoned by her lover. The flower, once vibrant and full of life, is now fading and dying, just like the woman's hopes and dreams. The recurring motif of the sunbeams and dew, symbols of hope and renewal, are rendered ineffective in the face of such profound grief, further deepening the sense of loss and despair.

The poem is structured in two mirrored stanzas, each dedicated to the flower and the maiden respectively, with the last lines of both stanzas echoing each other, highlighting the parallelism between the two subjects. The poet's use of personification ("sunbeams seek", "dews of heaven...weep") adds a layer of emotional depth to the poem, making the inanimate elements of nature active participants in the unfolding drama of loss. The lamenting tone and the evocative imagery make this poem a poignant exploration of heartbreak and grief.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.