A Chant

By John Collings Squire, Sir

Sonnet
        Gently the petals fall as the tree gently sways         That has known many springs and many petals fall         Year after year to strew the green deserted ways         And the statue and the pond and the low, broken wall.         Faded is the memory of old things done,         Peace floats on the ruins of ancient festival;         They lie and forget in the warmth of the sun,         And a sky silver-blue arches over all.         O softly, O tenderly, the heart now stirs         With desires faint and formless; and, seeking not, I find         Quiet thoughts that flash like azure kingfishers         Across the luminous, tranquil mirror of the mind.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a contemplative meditation on the passage of time, memory, and the human experience. The speaker's voice is introspective and serene, weaving a narrative that explores the cyclical nature of life, as embodied by the tree's gentle swaying and the falling of petals. The poem's form, structured into six stanzas of four lines each, is characterized by a loose iambic tetrameter meter, with a consistent lineation that echoes the natural world. The use of enjambment and caesura creates a sense of fluidity, mirroring the tree's gentle movements. A structural turn occurs in the third stanza, where the speaker's focus shifts from the external world to the internal realm of the mind. The language becomes more vivid and expansive, with the introduction of imagery like azure kingfishers and luminous, tranquil mirror of the mind. This tonal shift is accompanied by a change in the poem's tone, as the speaker's voice becomes more introspective and yearning. The observation that the poem makes is that even in the midst of decay and forgetfulness, the mind can find a sense of quiet and tranquility, reflecting the human capacity to find solace in the stillness of the mind.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.