Poem At The Dedication Of The Halleck Monument, July 8, 1869

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

    Say not the Poet dies!     Though in the dust he lies,     He cannot forfeit his melodious breath,     Unsphered by envious death!     Life drops the voiceless myriads from its roll;     Their fate he cannot share,     Who, in the enchanted air     Sweet with the lingering strains that Echo stole,     Has left his dearer self, the music of his soul!     We o'er his turf may raise     Our notes of feeble praise,     And carve with pious care for after eyes     The stone with "Here he lies;"     He for himself has built a nobler shrine,     Whose walls of stately rhyme     Roll back the tides of time,     While o'er their gates the gleaming tablets shine     That wear his name inwrought with many a golden line!     Call not our Poet dead,     Though on his turf we tread!     Green is the wreath their brows so long have worn, -     The minstrels of the morn,     Who, while the Orient burned with new-born flame,     Caught that celestial fire     And struck a Nation's lyre     These taught the western winds the poet's name;     Theirs the first opening buds, the maiden flowers of fame!     Count not our Poet dead!     The stars shall watch his bed,     The rose of June its fragrant life renew     His blushing mound to strew,     And all the tuneful throats of summer swell     With trills as crystal-clear     As when he wooed the ear     Of the young muse that haunts each wooded dell,     With songs of that "rough land" he loved so long and well!     He sleeps; he cannot die!     As evening's long-drawn sigh,     Lifting the rose-leaves on his peaceful mound,     Spreads all their sweets around,     So, laden with his song, the breezes blow     From where the rustling sedge     Frets our rude ocean's edge     To the smooth sea beyond the peaks of snow.     His soul the air enshrines and leaves but dust below!

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline


Share the Love of Poetry

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is an eloquent tribute to the enduring power of the poet's voice beyond the confines of mortality. The continuous theme of immortality and the lasting impact of the poet's work resonates through the verses. The speaker implores the reader not to think of the poet as dead, as the poet's "dearer self", the "music of his soul", survives in his poetry.

The structure of the poem, divided into five stanzas, each ending with a strong assertion of the poet's continued existence, reinforces the theme of enduring presence. The tone is reverential, creating a sense of veneration for the poet's work. This reverence is also reflected in the rich, vivid language and imagery, as seen in phrases like "the stars shall watch his bed" and "the rose of June its fragrant life renew". The use of metaphors and similes, such as comparing the spreading of the evening's sigh to the dispersal of the poet's song, further enhances the poem's rich, evocative texture.

Noteworthy is the poet's use of enjambment, which gives the poem a fluid, rhythmic quality that mirrors the enduring, flowing nature of the poet's influence. The ultimate message of the poem is that while the poet's physical form may succumb to death, their influence and spirit, embodied in their poetic works, continue to thrive and resonate in the world, defying the finality 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.