Move Eastward, Happy Earth, And Leave

Author: Alfred Lord Tennyson

Move eastward, happy earth, and leave
Yon orange sunset waning slow:
From fringes of the faded eve,
O, happy planet, eastward go;
Till over thy dark shoulder glow
Thy silver sister-world, and rise
To glass herself in dewy eyes
That watch me from the glen below.

Ah, bear me with thee, smoothly borne,
Dip forward under starry light,
And move me to my marriage-morn,
And round again to happy night.
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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

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Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem is an exquisite representation of the natural world, time, movement, and personal transition, expressing a profound longing for progression and change. The speaker beckons the earth to move eastward, away from the sunset - a symbolic gesture indicating a desire to move beyond the past and transition into a new phase of life. The continual eastward motion suggests a cyclical understanding of time and life, as day follows night and seasons change in a rhythmic pattern.

The use of celestial bodies, such as the 'silver sister-world' (the moon), serves as metaphors for the speaker's own life and emotional state. The moon's reflection in 'dewy eyes' suggests a connection between the celestial and the terrestrial, the cosmic and the personal.

The tone of the poem is hopeful yet tinged with melancholy, as the speaker yearns for both a return to a cherished moment ('my marriage-morn') and the progression towards a 'happy night.' This paradoxical desire reflects the complexity of human emotions and our relationship with time. The poem's structure, with its consistent rhyme scheme and rhythm, mirrors the cyclical nature of time it describes, reinforcing its themes.

The poet employs vivid imagery, metaphor, and personification to create a sensory and emotional landscape that resonantly echoes the speaker's inner emotional journey. Overall, it is a deeply reflective and poignant exploration of time, transition, and 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.