To Meadows

By Robert Herrick

Lyric Poem
Ye have been fresh and green, Ye have been filled with flowers, And ye the walks have been Where maids have spent their hours. Ye have beheld where they With wicker arks did come To kiss and bear away The richer cowslips home. Ye've heard them sweetly sing, And seen them in a round: Each virgin like a spring, With honeysuckles crowned. But now we see none here Whose silvery feet did tread And with disheveled hair Adorned this smoother mead. Like unthrifts, having spent Your stock and needy grown, Ye're left here to lament Your poor estates alone.
Written: 1648-01-01

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
More Poems
More Lyric Poems
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Date Written: 1648-01-01
Date Published: 1648-05-01
Language: English
Keywords: Meadows, Nature, Nostalgia, Beauty, Youth
Source: Hesperides
Publisher: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
A reflective poem that looks back on the beauty and liveliness of meadows, lamenting their current state as they have lost their former splendor.

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.