Author: John Frederick Freeman

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    I have seen that which sweeter is
    Than happy dreams come true.
    I have heard that which echo is
    Of speech past all I ever knew.
    Vision and echo, come again,
    Nor let me grieve in easeless pain!

    It was a hill I saw, that rose
    Like smoke over the street,
    Whose greening rampires were upreared
    Suddenly almost at my feet;
    And tall trees nodded tremblingly
    Making the plain day visionary.

    But ah, the song, the song I heard
    And grieve to hear no more!
    It was not angel-voice, nor child's
    Singing alone and happy, nor
    Note of the wise prophetic thrush
    As lonely in the leafless bush.

    It was not these, and yet I knew
    That song; but now, alas,
    My unpurged ears prove all too gross
    To keep the nameless air that was
    And is not; and my eyes forget
    The vision that I follow yet.

    Yet though forgetful I did see.
    And heard, but cannot tell,
    And on my forehead felt an air
    Unearthly, on my heart a spell.
    I have seen that which deathless is,
    And heard--what I for ever miss!

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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 deeply introspective, exploring themes of memory, longing, and the transient nature of experience. Throughout the verses, the poet juxtaposes the ethereal with the mundane, creating a sense of tension between our human limitations and the transcendent moments that punctuate our existence.

The poem opens with a strong declaration of experiencing something 'sweeter' and more profound than any known speech or dream, establishing an immediate sense of wonder and curiosity. The second stanza introduces a distinct visual image of a hill rising like smoke, representing the suddenness of the experience. The use of the term 'rampires' adds to this mystique, further enhancing the contrast between the ordinary street and the extraordinary vision.

The third and fourth stanzas shift from visual to auditory imagery, conveying a sense of loss for a song heard but not understood or remembered. The song is neither angelic nor earthly; it is 'nameless' and elusive. This feeling of loss is expanded in the fifth stanza, where the poet explores the idea of forgetfulness and the challenge of articulating such profound experiences.

The final stanza brings a sense of closure, reaffirming the immortality of the experience despite the poet's inability to fully grasp or retain it. The phrase 'I have seen that which deathless is, / And heard--what I for ever miss!' beautifully encapsulates the paradox of ephemeral moments that leave enduring impressions. The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, mirrors this paradox, offering a solid frame to the fluid and fleeting nature of the experiences described.

Overall, the poem brilliantly illustrates the human struggle to comprehend and express the ineffable, imbuing everyday experiences with a sense of the extraordinary. The poet's use of vivid imagery, contrast, and paradox makes this an engaging and thought-provoking piece.