At The Papyrus Club

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Narrative Poem
    A lovely show for eyes to see     I looked upon this morning, -     A bright-hued, feathered company     Of nature's own adorning;     But ah! those minstrels would not sing     A listening ear while I lent, -     The lark sat still and preened his wing,     The nightingale was silent;     I longed for what they gave me not -     Their warblings sweet and fluty,     But grateful still for all I got     I thanked them for their beauty.     A fairer vision meets my view     Of Claras, Margarets, Marys,     In silken robes of varied hue,     Like bluebirds and canaries;     The roses blush, the jewels gleam,     The silks and satins glisten,     The black eyes flash, the blue eyes beam,     We look - and then we listen     Behold the flock we cage to-night -     Was ever such a capture?     To see them is a pure delight;     To hear them - ah! what rapture!     Methinks I hear Delilah's laugh     At Samson bound in fetters;     "We captured!" shrieks each lovelier half,     "Men think themselves our betters!     We push the bolt, we turn the key     On warriors, poets, sages,     Too happy, all of them, to be     Locked in our golden cages!"     Beware! the boy with bandaged eyes     Has flung away his blinder;     He 's lost his mother - so he cries -     And here he knows he'll find her:     The rogue! 't is but a new device, -     Look out for flying arrows     Whene'er the birds of Paradise     Are perched amid the sparrows!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem presents a vivid exploration of the themes of beauty, longing, and the paradox of freedom and captivity. On a surface level, it depicts the speaker's interaction with nature and society, particularly focusing on the contrast between the natural beauty of birds and the cultivated elegance of women. The tone is filled with admiration and a sense of longing, underlined by a playful, almost teasing sense of humor.

The structure is conventional, maintaining a consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme that lends a musical quality to the piece, mirroring the birds' songs and the women's laughter. Notably, the use of visual imagery is particularly striking, painting vibrant pictures of the birds and women alike. The poem leans heavily on metaphor, comparing women to "birds of paradise" and men to captivated spectators or "caged" admirers. This conceit carries a dual interpretation: it suggests both the power of beauty to captivate and also the societal confines placed on women, who are expected to be beautiful and entertaining, mirroring the birds that are admired for their beauty but not for their song.

In the concluding stanzas, the emergence of the "boy with bandaged eyes" introduces an element of threat or potential disruption. This figure could be interpreted as Love (often depicted as a blindfolded Cupid), hinting at the potential chaos and unpredictability that love can introduce into ordered, societal norms. The final warning of "flying arrows" leaves the reader with an exciting sense of anticipation and uncertainty, hinting at a challenge to the established order. Overall, the poem provides a nuanced, playful commentary on societal expectations of beauty and the complex dynamics of power and attraction.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

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:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

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.