Absence

By Thomas Campbell

Lyric Poem
    'Tis not the loss of love's assurance,     It is not doubting what thou art,     But 'tis the too, too long endurance     Of absence, that afflicts my heart.     The fondest thoughts two hearts can cherish,     When each is lonely doom'd to weep,     Are fruits on desert isles that perish,     Or riches buried in the deep.     What though, untouch'd by jealous madness,     Our bosom's peace may fall to wreck;     Th' undoubting heart, that breaks with sadness,     Is but more slowly doom'd to break.     Absence! is not the soul torn by it     From more than light, or life, or breath?     'Tis Lethe's gloom, but not its quiet,     The pain without the peace of death.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem engages with the theme of love and the pain of separation. The speaker reveals a deep yearning for a lost love, lamenting not the loss of the love itself, but the prolonged absence of the beloved. The tone is melancholic and introspective, as the speaker grapples with the torment of longing and loneliness.

The poem's structure amplifies this sense of enduring pain. Each stanza develops a different metaphor for the speaker's suffering: the "fruits on desert isles that perish," the "riches buried in the deep," and the "Lethe's gloom." These metaphors highlight the speaker's feelings of isolation, loss, and unfulfilled desire.

The repetition of "doom'd" in the second and third stanzas reinforces the inescapable pain caused by absence. The poem also employs alliteration, such as "too, too long endurance" and "bosom's peace," creating a rhythmic, musical quality that contrasts with the deep sadness in the poem's content.

The final stanza introduces the mythological river Lethe, associated with forgetfulness and oblivion in ancient Greek mythology, but the speaker finds no peace or oblivion in absence, only more pain. This elevates the poem's theme of absence from a personal lament to a universal exploration of human suffering, making the poem resonate deeply with any reader who has ever experienced longing or loss.

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.