Author: John Frederick Freeman
Came the same cuckoo's cry All day across the mead. Flitted the butterfly All day dittering over my head. Came a bleak crawk-caw Between tall broad trees. Came shadows, floating, drifting slowly down Large leaves from darker trees. Rose the lark with the rising sun, Rose the mist after the lark, O wild and sweet the clamour begun Round the heels of the limping dark. Rose after white cloud white cloud, Nodded green cloud to green; The stiff and dark earth stirred, breathing aloud, And dew shook from the green. Remained the eyes that stared, Ears that ached to hear; Remained the nerve of being, bared, Stung with delight and fear. Beauty flushed, ran and returned, Like a music rose and fell; Staring and blind and deaf I listened and burned-- A wilder music fell.
Type of Poem: Reflective 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 rich tapestry of nature's imagery, with a strong theme of the passage of time and the sensory experience of the world around us. The poet uses vivid auditory and visual imagery to immerse the reader in the landscape; the cuckoo's cry, the butterfly's fluttering, the crow's caw, and the rustling leaves create a symphony of sounds, while the rising sun, the mist, the clouds, and the dew offer a spectacle of sight. The structure of the poem, with its consistent focus on movement and change, supports the theme of time passing.
The tone of the poem is both contemplative and intense, reflecting a deep engagement with the natural world. The speaker appears to be in a state of heightened awareness, experiencing both "delight and fear". This could suggest a sense of awe at the beauty of nature, or a deeper existential anxiety. The use of repetition, particularly the word "came", and the use of the present tense, gives the poem a sense of immediacy and urgency. The final lines, in which beauty is described as "flushed, ran and returned," suggest a cyclical view of life, in which beauty, like the day itself, is always in a state of flux. The ending, with its reference to a "wilder music", implies that the speaker has been transformed by the experience, hinting at the power of nature to inspire and provoke deep emotional responses.
Reflective poetry is a form of verse that explores the thoughts, emotions, and meditations of the poet. It often delves into personal experiences, memories, and philosophical musings, offering a window into the poet's inner world.
Reflective poems are characterized by their introspective nature, allowing readers to connect with the poet’s contemplations on life, existence, and the human condition. Here are some defining characteristics:
Reflective poetry provides a unique avenue for exploring the poet’s inner world, inviting readers to engage in their own reflections as they journey through the verses.