Author: Victor James Daley
Once from the world of living men I passed, by a strange fancy led, To a still City of the Dead, To call upon a citizen. He had been famous in his day; Much talked of, written of, and praised For virtues my small soul amazed, And yet I thought his heart was clay. He was too full of grace for me: His friends said, on a marble stone, His soul sat somewhere near the Throne I did not know; I called to see. His name and fame were on the door, A most superior tomb indeed, Much railed, and gilt, and filigreed; He occupied the lower floor. I knocked - a worm crawled from its hole: I looked - and knew it for his soul.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This intriguing poem encapsulates themes of mortality, legacy, and the ambiguity of perceived virtue. The speaker journeys into a metaphysical "City of the Dead," suggesting a tone of contemplation and a certain detachment from the living world. The structure of the poem, consistent in its rhyming scheme and rhythmic pattern, creates a steady, almost chant-like rhythm that mirrors the speaker's solemn journey.
The poem employs a variety of literary devices, most notably, a striking use of symbolism and metaphor. The "City of the Dead" symbolizes the afterlife or the realm of death, while the deceased 'citizen' represents the human tendency to idolize and idealize figures after their death, despite their clay-like (imperfect and earthly) nature. The 'marble stone' and 'superior tomb' symbolize the superficial commemorations of the dead, while the worm crawling from its hole can be interpreted as a stark metaphor for the soul, suggesting a much humbler, less esteemed reality post-death. This image powerfully subverts the glorification of the deceased, evoking a sense of disillusionment and perhaps even a critique of societal norms around death and legacy. The poem, in its exploration of these themes, invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of virtue, legacy, and the inevitability of our shared mortal fate.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.