Listen

By Abram Joseph Ryan

        We borrow,         In our sorrow,     From the sun of some to-morrow      Half the light that gilds to-day;         And the splendor         Flashes tender     O'er hope's footsteps to defend her      From the fears that haunt the way.         We never         Here can sever     Any now from the forever      Interclasping near and far!         For each minute         Holds within it     All the hours of the infinite,      As one sky holds every star.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline


Share the Love of Poetry

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem communicates a profound sense of hope and interconnectedness, utilizing the natural world as a metaphorical lens. The speaker starts by expressing the human tendency to draw hope from the future to alleviate present sorrow, a sentiment reflected in the idea of borrowing "half the light that gilds to-day" from the "sun of some to-morrow." This theme of hope resonates throughout the poem, fortified by the imagery of "splendor flashes tender o'er hope's footsteps." The imagery used paints a vivid picture of the nature of hope, which comes with a gentle yet brilliant radiance to guide and protect us from fears.

In the poem's latter half, the speaker underscores the inseparability of the present from the future, the near from the far, and the finite from the infinite. It's a grand declaration of the interconnectedness of every moment in time, and the boundless potential that each moment holds. The final comparison of each minute holding "all the hours of the infinite, as one sky holds every star" is a powerful metaphor, painting a picture of the vastness and infinite possibilities of time encapsulated within each minute. The poem’s rhythmic structure and consistent rhyme scheme give it a musical quality, enhancing the emotive impact. Overall, the poem is a masterful blend of hope, reflection, and the exploration of time's infinite nature, all elegantly expressed through a marriage of nature and cosmic metaphors.

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.