The Voiceless

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Elegy
    We count the broken lyres that rest     Where the sweet wailing singers slumber,     But o'er their silent sister's breast     The wild-flowers who will stoop to number?     A few can touch the magic string,     And noisy Fame is proud to win them: -     Alas for those that never sing,     But die with all their music in them!     Nay, grieve not for the dead alone     Whose song has told their hearts' sad story, -     Weep for the voiceless, who have known     The cross without the crown of glory     Not where Leucadian breezes sweep     O'er Sappho's memory-haunted billow,     But where the glistening night-dews weep     On nameless sorrow's churchyard pillow.     O hearts that break and give no sign     Save whitening lip and fading tresses,     Till Death pours out his longed-for wine     Slow-dropped from Misery's crushing presses, -     If singing breath or echoing chord     To every hidden pang were given,     What endless melodies were poured,     As sad as earth, as sweet as heaven!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant, reflective poem juxtaposes the celebrated expressiveness of the vocal with the silent suffering of the voiceless. The primary theme centers on the tragic beauty of unexpressed potential and the hidden sorrows of those who bear their burdens in silence. The tone is melancholic, with a touch of reverence for the unsung heroes it speaks to.

The poem is structured into four stanzas, each contributing to the development of the central theme. It begins by contemplating the celebrated, those who have expressed their pain through song, symbolized by the "broken lyres." However, it quickly shifts focus to those silent, unrecognized sorrows, symbolized by the "wild-flowers" and the "nameless sorrow's churchyard pillow." The use of floral and musical imagery paints a vivid picture of silent suffering in an otherwise vibrant world.

The poet uses a variety of literary devices, including personification ("Fame is proud to win them") and metaphors ("the cross without the crown of glory", the "longed-for wine" of Death), to deepen the emotional resonance of the poem. The final stanza concludes on a note of what could be if every hidden pang were given voice, suggesting a world filled with "endless melodies as sad as earth, as sweet as heaven." This serves as a poignant commentary on the universality of human suffering and the beauty that can emerge from expressing it.

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.