In Vita Minerva

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Lyric Poem
    Vex not the Muse with idle prayers, -     She will not hear thy call;     She steals upon thee unawares,     Or seeks thee not at all.     Soft as the moonbeams when they sought     Endymion's fragrant bower,     She parts the whispering leaves of thought     To show her full-blown flower.     For thee her wooing hour has passed,     The singing birds have flown,     And winter comes with icy blast     To chill thy buds unblown.     Yet, though the woods no longer thrill     As once their arches rung,     Sweet echoes hover round thee still     Of songs thy summer sung.     Live in thy past; await no more     The rush of heaven-sent wings;     Earth still has music left in store     While Memory sighs and sings.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a lyrical meditation on the themes of inspiration, memory, and the passage of time. The speaker presents the Muse—the personification of inspiration—as an elusive, capricious entity that cannot be summoned at will. The tone is gentle, yet melancholic, reflecting a sense of loss, echoed in the imagery of the 'singing birds' that have flown and the 'winter' that comes 'to chill thy buds unblown'.

The poem is structured in quatrains with an ABAB rhyme scheme, a form that lends itself to a steady rhythm and familiar musicality, mirroring the recurring nature of memories. The poem's language is richly figurative, employing metaphors and allusions (like the reference to Endymion, a character from Greek mythology). The transition from the vibrant 'summer' to the desolate 'winter' serves to emphasize the contrast between the past and the present, the remembered and the forgotten. The concluding stanza, however, offers a message of hope: even though the 'wooing hour' of inspiration might have passed, there's still beauty and music to be found in the memories of the past. This poem, thus, beautifully explores not only the transient nature of inspiration, but also the enduring power of memory.

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.