From A Bachelors Private Journal

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Lyric Poem
    Sweet Mary, I have never breathed     The love it were in vain to name;     Though round my heart a serpent wreathed,     I smiled, or strove to smile, the same.     Once more the pulse of Nature glows     With faster throb and fresher fire,     While music round her pathway flows,     Like echoes from a hidden lyre.     And is there none with me to share     The glories of the earth and sky?     The eagle through the pathless air     Is followed by one burning eye.     Ah no! the cradled flowers may wake,     Again may flow the frozen sea,     From every cloud a star may break, -     There conies no second spring to me.     Go, - ere the painted toys of youth     Are crushed beneath the tread of years;     Ere visions have been chilled to truth,     And hopes are washed away in tears.     Go, - for I will not bid thee weep, -     Too soon my sorrows will be thine,     And evening's troubled air shall sweep     The incense from the broken shrine.     If Heaven can hear the dying tone     Of chords that soon will cease to thrill,     The prayer that Heaven has heard alone     May bless thee when those chords are still.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is marked by a strong sense of melancholia and longing, articulated through the speaker's reflections on unrequited love, nature's pulse, and the relentless march of time. The tone is deeply nostalgic and introspective, with the speaker expressing a poignant yearning for a love that remains unspoken and thus unfulfilled. The poem is steeped in a sense of loss and resignation, as the speaker recognizes the inevitable passage of youth and the disappointments that often come with maturity.

The structure of the poem lends a rhythmic coherence to the narrative. Each stanza is carefully crafted, with consistent rhyming patterns that underscore the speaker's emotional state. The use of vivid and emotive imagery, such as "the pulse of Nature glows" and "the eagle through the pathless air is followed by one burning eye," enhances the overall atmospherics of the poem, drawing readers into the speaker's world of unexpressed emotions and unshared glories.

A standout literary device is the use of symbolism, where natural elements like the eagle, the cloud, and the sea represent the speaker's inner emotional state. The "serpent wreathed" around the heart symbolizing unvoiced love is particularly striking. The poem also employs metaphors and similes effectively, comparing the inevitable crushing of youthful dreams to 'painted toys' trodden under years.

In conclusion, the poem is a poignant exploration of unrequited love, the passage of time, and the inevitability of life's disappointments. Its emotive language, rhythmic structure, and effective use of literary devices create a deeply resonant and universal poetic experience.

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.