Author: James Joyce
He travels after a winter sun, Urging the cattle along a cold red road, Calling to them, a voice they know, He drives his beasts above Cabra. The voice tells them home is warm. They moo and make brute music with their hoofs. He drives them with a flowering branch before him, Smoke pluming their foreheads. Boor, bond of the herd, Tonight stretch full by the fire! And tomorrow toil again From dawn till night, He drives them with a flowering branch before him, Smoke pluming their foreheads.
Type of Poem: Lyric Poem
Date Written: 1914-01-10
Date Published: 1927-05-01
Language: English
Keywords: Winter, Cattle, Herd, Cabra, Music
Source: Collected Poems
Publisher: Viking Press
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: A reprise of the earlier poem that captures the daily life of a cattle herder, reflecting on the simplicity and rhythm of life in the countryside.
Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.
Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:
From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.