The Mouse

By John Frederick Freeman

Lyric Poem
    Standing close by you     In the cold light     Of two tall candles     That measure the dark of night,     I hear the mouse,     The only thing that's moving     In the quiet house.     Don't you hear it,     That furious mouse?     How can you sleep so deep     And that noise in the house?     Won't you stir     At the furious scratching     In the cupboard there?     No! a sharper sound     Would wake you not;     Not the sweetest fluting     Tease you back to thought.     Yet the scratching mouse     Makes all my flesh a nervous     Haunted house.     O, the dream, the dream     Must be sweet and deep     If life's scratching's heard not     On your cold sleep.     Yet if you should hear it,     So furious and fretful--     How could you bear it?

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem explores themes of isolation, anxiety, and the delicate line between wakefulness and sleep. The poet crafts a vivid, intimate setting, the "cold light / Of two tall candles" casting long shadows of suspense and unease. This sense of solitude is reinforced by the "quiet house," save for the relentless mouse, symbolic here of the speaker's intrusive thoughts, anxieties, or fears that gnaw away at the silence of the night.

The poem's tone is steeped in desperation and frustration, as the speaker implores the sleeping companion to wake and share the burden of their torment. The contrast between the speaker's anxiety and the other's deep sleep introduces a sense of disconnect, showing how internal struggles can feel isolating even when not physically alone. The repetition of "furious" underscores the speaker’s growing agitation, while the personification of "life's scratchings" reveals the speaker’s unease towards life’s realities. The structure of the poem, with its short, terse lines, mirrors the abrupt and relentless nature of the "scratching mouse." The final question leaves the poem open-ended, inviting readers to ponder the extent to which they can bear their own anxieties and fears. Overall, the poem is a profound exploration of personal anxiety and the longing for shared understanding.

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.