With A Rose

By Dora Sigerson Shorter

Sonnet
     In the heart of a rose             Lies the heart of a maid;             If you be not afraid      You will wear it.    Who knows?      In the pink of its bloom,             Lay your lips to her cheek;             Since a rose cannot speak,      And you gain the perfume.      If the dews on the leaf             Are the tears from her eyes;             If she withers and dies,      Why, you have the belief,      That a rose cannot speak,             Though the heart of a maid             In its bosom must fade,      And with fading must break.

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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 fleeting nature of beauty and love through the extended metaphor of a rose. The speaker, adopting a detached, almost conversational tone, guides the reader through a series of propositions about the rose, subtly implying a parallel between its life cycle and the experience of romantic love. The poem's structure, with its indented stanzas and irregular line lengths, mirrors the delicate and unpredictable nature of the subject matter. The imagery is rich and sensual, evoking the sweetness of perfume, the softness of pink blooms, and the glistening dew that suggests both beauty and fragility. A subtle shift occurs in the final stanza, where the speaker acknowledges the inevitable fading of both the rose and the heart of a maid, introducing a note of melancholy and resignation. The poem's final lines, however, offer a poignant observation: the belief that a rose cannot speak obscures the pain of its silent suffering, mirroring the human tendency to ignore the emotional depths of others in the pursuit of fleeting pleasure.

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.