Within A Year

By George Parsons Lathrop

Sonnet
    I.         Lips that are met in love's             Devotion sweet,     While parting lovers passionately greet,     And earth through heaven's arc more swiftly moves -         Oh, will they be less dear         Within a year?     II.         Eyes in whose shadow-spell             Far off I read     That which to lovers taking loving heed     Dear women's eyes full soon and plainly tell -         Oh, will you give such cheer         This time a year?     III.         Behold! the dark year goes,             Nor will reveal     Aught of its purpose, if for woe or weal,     Swift as a stream that o'er the mill-weir flows:         Mayhap the end draws near         Within the year!     IV.         Yet, darling, once more touch             Those lips to mine.     Set on my life that talisman divine;     Absence, new friends, I fear not overmuch -    -         Even Death, should he appear         Within the year!

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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 poignant exploration of the transience of love and the uncertainty of its future. The speaker's musings on the fleeting nature of devotion are woven throughout the poem, as they ponder whether the passion and ardor of their love will endure. The lines Oh, will they be less dear / Within a year? and Oh, will you give such cheer / This time a year? serve as a haunting refrain, underscoring the speaker's deep-seated anxiety about the potential erosion of their love. The poem's use of imagery and metaphor, particularly in the third stanza, where the dark year is likened to a swift and mysterious stream, adds to the sense of foreboding and uncertainty that pervades the poem. Ultimately, the speaker's observation that Even Death, should he appear / Within the year stands as a stark reminder of the fragility and impermanence of human connection.

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.