To John Greenleaf Whittier On His Eightieth Birthday

Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes

    Friend, whom thy fourscore winters leave more dear
    Than when life's roseate summer on thy cheek
    Burned in the flush of manhood's manliest year,
    Lonely, how lonely! is the snowy peak
    Thy feet have reached, and mine have climbed so near!
    Close on thy footsteps 'mid the landscape drear
    I stretch my hand thine answering grasp to seek,
    Warm with the love no rippling rhymes can speak!
    Look backward! From thy lofty height survey
    Thy years of toil, of peaceful victories won,
    Of dreams made real, largest hopes outrun!
    Look forward! Brighter than earth's morning ray
    Streams the pure light of Heaven's unsetting sun,
    The unclouded dawn of life's immortal day!
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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem is a vivid exploration of aging, friendship, and the passage of time, with an underlying theme of hope and resilience. The initial tone is one of nostalgia and reverence for an aged friend, expressed through the metaphor of a "snowy peak" to represent the friend's old age. This metaphor weaves the broader theme of the journey of life throughout the poem, with the speaker following closely behind their friend, seeking wisdom and comfort.

The poem takes an interesting structural form, moving from past to future, life to death, and earthly to heavenly. The transition from reminiscing about the past to anticipating the future is carried out smoothly, fostering a contemplative tone. The use of imagery — "life's roseate summer", "lonely snowy peak", "landscape drear" and the "pure light of Heaven's unsetting sun" — is particularly striking, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The poet’s choice of language and rhythm creates a sense of life's grandeur and solemnity. The final lines encapsulate the poem's theme of immortality and spiritual optimism, suggesting that life's "immortal day" continues beyond earthly existence in a brighter, heavenly realm.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.