June

Author: Horatio Alger, Jr.

    Throw open wide your golden gates,
    O poet-landed month of June,
    And waft me, on your spicy breath,
    The melody of birds in tune.

    O fairest palace of the three,
    Wherein Queen Summer holdeth sway,
    I gaze upon your leafy courts
    From out the vestibule of May.

    I fain would tread your garden walks,
    Or in your shady bowers recline;
    Then open wide your golden gates,
    And make them mine, and make them mine.
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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a bright and vivid salute to the month of June, using rich language to convey the beauty of this time of year. The poem is overflowing with a sense of anticipation and longing for the warmth and splendor of the summer season. This is achieved through the use of personification, with June being depicted as a 'poet-landed month' and a 'palace' ruled by 'Queen Summer', as well as through the yearning expressed in the repeated plea to 'open wide your golden gates'.

The structure of the poem, with its regular rhyming scheme and meter, enhances the overall atmosphere of harmony and order, reflecting the perfection of nature in summer. The use of sensory imagery – particularly olfactory and auditory, as in 'your spicy breath' and 'the melody of birds in tune' – serves to immerse the reader in the poet's joyful anticipation of June's arrival. The repetition in the final line, 'And make them mine, and make them mine', underlines this longing and the deeply personal, almost possessive relationship the poet feels towards this time of year. Overall, this poem is a vibrant celebration of the summer season, expressed with a passionate longing that is both captivating and relatable.

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.