Author: Anne Bronte

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    Why should such gloomy silence reign;
    And why is all the house so drear,
    When neither danger, sickness, pain,
    Nor death, nor want have entered here?

    We are as many as we were
    That other night, when all were gay,
    And full of hope, and free from care;
    Yet, is there something gone away.

    The moon without as pure and calm
    Is shining as that night she shone;
    but now, to us she brings no balm,
    For something from our hearts is gone.

    Something whose absence leaves a void,
    A cheerless want in every heart.
    Each feels the bliss of all destroyed
    And mourns the change - but each apart.

    The fire is burning in the grate
    As redly as it used to burn,
    But still the hearth is desolate
    Till Mirth and Love with Peace return.

    'Twas Peace that flowed from heart to heart
    With looks and smiles that spoke of Heaven,
    And gave us language to impart
    The blissful thoughts itself had given.

    Sweet child of Heaven, and joy of earth!
    O, when will Man thy value learn?
    We rudely drove thee from our hearth,
    And vainly sigh for thy return.

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Type of Poem: Reflective Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem delves into themes of loss, longing, and the importance of intangible aspects of life, specifically peace and harmony. The melancholic tone is established through the use of gloomy, desolate imagery. The poet utilizes rhetorical questions in the first stanza to set up the scene of a seemingly unchanged environment that, however, feels profoundly different due to an unspecified absence.

There is an effective contrast between the unchanged physical elements, like the moon and the fire, and the deep emotional change experienced by the individuals. This contrast serves to emphasize the significance of the missing element, which we learn in the later part of the poem is 'Peace'. The repeated reference to the unaltered state of the physical environment also reinforces the theme of longing and the sense of something essential missing.

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, provides a sense of continuity and order, which juxtaposes the emotional disarray described within. This contrast further amplifies the sense of loss and longing. The poem concludes with a profound statement on the value of peace and harmony, suggesting the collective regret for driving away this 'Sweet child of Heaven', thereby inviting readers to reflect on their own understanding and appreciation of these virtues. Overall, the poet skillfully employs contrasts, poignant imagery, and a consistent structure to convey a deeply resonant message about the importance of peace in our lives.