Lines Composed In A Wood On A Windy Day

By Anne Bronte

    My soul is awakened, my spirit is soaring     And carried aloft on the wings of the breeze;     For above and around me the wild wind is roaring,     Arousing to rapture the earth and the seas.     The long withered grass in the sunshine is glancing,     The bare trees are tossing their branches on high;     The dead leaves, beneath them, are merrily dancing,     The white clouds are scudding across the blue sky.     I wish I could see how the ocean is lashing     The foam of its billows to whirlwinds of spray;     I wish I could see how its proud waves are dashing,     And hear the wild roar of their thunder today!

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 captures the beauty and power of nature, using it as a metaphor to express a sense of awakening and liberation. The dominant themes weave together the human spirit, nature's grandeur, and the notion of existential freedom. The tone is invigorating and uplifting, reflecting the poet's visceral reaction to the natural world.

The poem is structured in quatrains with a consistent rhyme scheme, creating a rhythmic cadence that enhances the energetic mood. The poet employs rich, evocative imagery to render a vivid depiction of the landscape. Phrases like "wild wind is roaring" and "ocean is lashing" imbue the poem with a sense of dynamism and force. The use of personification, as in "The long withered grass in the sunshine is glancing," further injects life into the scene, suggesting a unity of spirit between the natural world and the self. This poem, in its celebration of nature's vitality and its parallel to personal awakening, enlivens the senses and invites readers to share in the poet's exuberant connection with the world.

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.