H. C. M. H. S. J. K. W.

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

    The dirge is played, the throbbing death-peal rung,     The sad-voiced requiem sung;     On each white urn where memory dwells     The wreath of rustling immortelles     Our loving hands have hung,     And balmiest leaves have strown and tenderest blossoms flung.     The birds that filled the air with songs have flown,     The wintry blasts have blown,     And these for whom the voice of spring     Bade the sweet choirs their carols sing     Sleep in those chambers lone     Where snows untrodden lie, unheard the night-winds moan.     We clasp them all in memory, as the vine     Whose running stems intwine     The marble shaft, and steal around     The lowly stone, the nameless mound;     With sorrowing hearts resign     Our brothers true and tried, and close our broken line.     How fast the lamps of life grow dim and die     Beneath our sunset sky!     Still fading, as along our track     We cast our saddened glances back,     And while we vainly sigh     The shadowy day recedes, the starry night draws nigh.     As when from pier to pier across the tide     With even keel we glide,     The lights we left along the shore     Grow less and less, while more, yet more     New vistas open wide     Of fair illumined streets and casements golden-eyed.     Each closing circle of our sunlit sphere     Seems to bring heaven more near     Can we not dream that those we love     Are listening in the world above     And smiling as they hear     The voices known so well of friends that still are dear?     Does all that made us human fade away     With this dissolving clay?     Nay, rather deem the blessed isles     Are bright and gay with joyous smiles,     That angels have their play,     And saints that tire of song may claim their holiday.     All else of earth may perish; love alone     Not heaven shall find outgrown!     Are they not here, our spirit guests,     With love still throbbing in their breasts?     Once more let flowers be strown.     Welcome, ye shadowy forms, we count you still our own!

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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 compelling exploration of mortality, memory, and the enduring power of love. The imagery of death and mourning is prominent in the opening stanzas, with the dirge, the death-peal, and the wreath of immortelles. Yet, the tone is not morose, but rather thoughtful and introspective, offering a gentle acceptance of death as a natural part of the cycle of life.

The poem's structure and rhythm contribute to its reflective quality, with each stanza building upon the themes of the previous one. The use of nature as a metaphor – birds, wintry blasts, the vine – serves to underscore the theme of the passage of time and the transience of life. However, the poem ultimately suggests that though life is fleeting, love endures beyond death. The final stanza, in particular, speaks to the idea of an afterlife where love persists. The poet uses the phrase "shadowy forms" to convey the continued presence of loved ones who have passed on. This, combined with the recurring motif of memory and the closing exhortation to "let flowers be strown" suggests a celebration of life and love, even in the face of death.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.


Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.