A Bride

By James Whitcomb Riley

Sonnet
    "O I am weary!" she sighed, as her billowy     Hair she unloosed in a torrent of gold     That rippled and fell o'er a figure as willowy,     Graceful and fair as a goddess of old:     Over her jewels she flung herself drearily,     Crumpled the laces that snowed on her breast,     Crushed with her fingers the lily that wearily     Clung in her hair like a dove in its nest.     And naught but her shadowy form in the mirror     To kneel in dumb agony down and weep near her!     "Weary?" Of what? Could we fathom the mystery?     Lift up the lashes weighed down by her tears     And wash with their dews one white face from her history,     Set like a gem in the red rust of years?     Nothing will rest her - unless he who died of her     Strayed from his grave, and in place of the groom,     Tipping her face, kneeling there by the side of her,     Drained the old kiss to the dregs of his doom.     And naught but that shadowy form in the mirror     To heel in dumb agony down and weep near her!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
this is a poem about unrequited love. the speaker is a woman who is deeply in love with a man who is dead. she is consumed by grief and despair. she longs for him to return to her, but she knows that this is impossible. the poem's language is rich and evocative, and it creates a sense of longing and loss. Let me know if you'd like me to analyze any other aspects of the poem, such as its structure, imagery, or symbolism.

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.