Author: John Frederick Freeman

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    Thou shaking thy dark shadows down,
    Like leaves before the first leaves fall,
    Pourest upon the head of night
    Her loveliest loveliness of all--
    Dark leaves that tremble
    When soft airs unto softer call.

    O, darker, softer fall her thoughts
    Upon the cold fields of my mind,
    Weaving a quiet music there
    Like leaf-shapes trembling in least wind:
    Dark thoughts that linger
    When the light's gone and the night's blind.

    I see her there beneath your boughs.
    Dark chestnut, though you see her not;
    Her white face and white hands are clear
    As the moon in your stretched arms caught;
    But stranger, clearer,
    The living shadows of her thought.

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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a poignant and tender exploration of memory, longing, and the ephemeral nature of human experiences. The theme is brought to life through the recurring imagery of nature, particularly the analogy of dark leaves and the soft, opaque darkness of night. The poet employs a contemplative tone, weaving together elements of melancholy and nostalgia.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each ending with a variation of a refrain about dark leaves or thoughts that linger. This refrain creates a rhythm that underscores the poem's contemplative mood. The play between light and dark, visible and invisible, not only provides a rich visual landscape but also serves as a metaphor for the contrast between physical presence and the elusive nature of thoughts and memories. The language is rich with sensory details, creating a vivid and evocative picture of the woman being remembered. The mention of her white face and hands, clear as the moon, and the living shadows of her thoughts, suggest a struggle between remembering the physical and the abstract. Overall, this poem is a thought-provoking meditation on the interplay between memory, loss, and the human desire for connection.