Author: Alfred Lord Tennyson
O love, Love, Love! O withering might! O sun, that from thy noonday height Shudderest when I strain my sight, Throbbing thro' all thy heat and light, Lo, falling from my constant mind, Lo, parch'd and wither'd, deaf and blind, I whirl like leaves in roaring wind. Last night I wasted hateful hours Below the city's eastern towers: I thirsted for the brooks, the showers: I roll'd among the tender flowers: I crush'd them on my breast, my mouth; I look'd athwart the burning drouth Of that long desert to the south. Last night, when some one spoke his name, From my swift blood that went and came A thousand little shafts of flame Were shiver'd in my narrow frame. O Love, O fire! once he drew With one long kiss my whole soul thro' My lips, as sunlight drinketh dew. Before he mounts the hill, I know He cometh quickly: from below Sweet gales, as from deep gardens, blow Before him, striking on my brow. In my dry brain my spirit soon, Down-deepening from swoon to swoon, Faints like a daled morning moon. The wind sounds like a silver wire, And from beyond the noon a fire Is pour'd upon the hills, and nigher The skies stoop down in their desire; And, isled in sudden seas of light, My heart, pierced thro' with fierce delight, Bursts into blossom in his sight. My whole soul waiting silently, All naked in a sultry sky, Droops blinded with his shining eye: I will possess him or will die. I will grow round him in his place, Grow, live, die looking on his face, Die, dying clasp'd in his embrace.
Type of Poem: Lyric Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem is a poignant exploration of passionate love and desire, a theme expressed through vivid imagery and emotive language. The speaker's obsession with the object of her affection is presented in an almost desperate tone, underlining the intensity of her feelings. The use of repetition, particularly with the word "Love," not only emphasizes the central theme but also contributes to the overall rhythm and musicality of the poem.
The poem's structure, composed of six well-organized stanzas, each revealing a different aspect of the speaker's feelings, successfully guides the reader through her emotions. Metaphors and similes are used to great effect, comparing the speaker's love to elements such as fire and sunlight, which suggest both warmth and potential danger. The poem also delves into the realm of the senses, using sensory details to create striking images of thirst, heat, and light, further amplifying the theme of passionate love.
The poem concludes with the speaker's declaration of her intention to either "possess him or will die," presenting a heightened sense of emotional risk that gives the poem a dramatic ending. This intense expression of desire and devotion captures the consuming nature of the speaker's love. Overall, the poem is a powerful exploration of passionate love, skilfully using a range of poetic techniques to bring the speaker's emotions to life.
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:
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.