Lines Written At Thorp Green

Author: Anne Bronte

    That summer sun, whose genial glow
    Now cheers my drooping spirit so
    Must cold and distant be,
    And only light our northern clime
    With feeble ray, before the time
    I long so much to see.

    And this soft whispering breeze that now
    So gently cools my fevered brow,
    This too, alas, must turn
    To a wild blast whose icy dart
    Pierces and chills me to the heart,
    Before I cease to mourn.

    And these bright flowers I love so well,
    Verbena, rose and sweet bluebell,
    Must droop and die away.
    Those thick green leaves with all their shade
    And rustling music, they must fade
    And every one decay.

    But if the sunny summer time
    And woods and meadows in their prime
    Are sweet to them that roam
    Far sweeter is the winter bare
    With long dark nights and landscapes drear
    To them that are at Home!
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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

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 under analysis is a poignant expression of longing and the inevitability of change, employing vivid imagery and nature symbolism to convey the speaker's emotional state. The primary themes revolve around the passage of time, the transient nature of life, and the paradox of comfort found in discomfort.

The poem is structured in four six-line stanzas, each drawing on elements of the natural world—sun, breeze, flowers—to mirror the speaker's internal shifts. The tone fluctuates between melancholic contemplation and a somber acceptance of life's impermanence. The genial summer sun, the cooling breeze, and the vibrant flowers all transition into their harsher counterparts as the poem progresses, reflecting the speaker's emotional journey from cheerfulness to mourning.

The poem's standout literary device is the use of seasonal metaphors to signify life's cyclical nature and the speaker's personal transformation. Summer, with its warmth and vibrancy, gives way to winter's chill and desolation, mirroring the speaker's transition from a state of contentment to profound longing. The final stanza, however, introduces a hint of ambiguity. The speaker finds a strange comfort in the "winter bare" and its "long dark nights," suggesting a sense of solace found within sorrow and solitude. This shifts the poem's tone from mere melancholy to complex introspection, leaving the reader with a poignant reflection on the beauty and pain intertwined in the human experience.

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.