A Dawn Song

By George William Russell

Lyric Poem
    While the earth is dark and grey         How I laugh within:    I know     In my breast what ardours gay         From the morning overflow.          Though the cheek be white and wet         In my heart no fear may fall:     There my chieftain leads, and yet         Ancient battle-trumpets call.          Bend on me no hasty frown         If my spirit slight your cares:     Sunlike still my joy looks down         Changing tears to beamy airs.          Think me not of fickle heart         If with joy my bosom swells     Though your ways from mine depart:         In the true are no farewells.          What I love in you I find         Everywhere.    A friend I greet     In each flower and tree and wind--         Oh, but life is sweet, is sweet.          What to you are bolts and bars         Are to me the hands that guide     To the freedom of the stars         Where my golden kinsmen bide.          From my mountain top I view:         Twilight's purple flower is gone,     And I send my song to you         On the level light of dawn. --November 15, 1896

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem explores the speaker's unwavering joy and optimism in the face of external darkness and sorrow. The speaker employs a confident, almost defiant voice, asserting their inner light amidst external gloom. The consistent, regular rhythm and rhyme scheme create a sense of controlled exuberance, like a steady heartbeat. Imagery of warmth, light, and celestial bodies (ardours gay, sunlike joy, golden kinsmen, freedom of the stars) contrasts sharply with the dark and grey world outside. The poem shifts in the final stanza, moving from the personal (What I love in you I find) to the universal (In each flower and tree and wind). The speaker's perspective widens, encompassing a broader appreciation for life's beauty and interconnectedness, suggesting that true joy transcends individual circumstances. The final lines, On the level light of dawn, point towards a future filled with promise, even as the speaker acknowledges the passing of the twilight's purple flower.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

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:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

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.