Prefatory Poem To My Brothers Sonnets

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Elegy
Midnight June 30 1879 I. Midnightin no midsummer tune The breakers lash the shores: The cuckoo of a joyless June Is calling out of doors: And thou hast vanishd from thine own To that which looks like rest, True brother, only to be known By those who love thee best. II. Midnightand joyless June gone by, And from the deluged park The cuckoo of a worse July Is calling thro the dark: But thou art silent underground, And oer thee streams the rain, True poet, surely to be found When Truth is found again. III. And now, in these unsummerd skies The summer bird is still, Far off a phantom cuckoo cries From out a phantom hill; And thro this midnight breaks the sun Of sixty years away, The light of days when life begun, The days that seem to-day, When all my griefs were shared with thee, As all my hopes were thine As all thou wert was one with me, May all thou art be mine!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a lamentation exploring themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. The poet employs the recurring motif of the cuckoo's call to signify the relentless forward march of time, even in the face of absence and sorrow. The poem is structured in three distinct stanzas, each one marking a shift in time and sentiment.

In the first stanza, the poet introduces the character of a departed "brother," metaphorically associating the loss with the harshness of a joyless June. The tone here is melancholic, highlighting the emptiness left behind. The second stanza moves forward in time, underlining the permanence of the loss. The poet uses vivid imagery of a "deluged park" and the "silent underground" to amplify the sense of desolation.

The final stanza shifts the tone subtly from despair to hope, as it moves into the realm of memory. The "phantom cuckoo" and the sun breaking through "unsummer'd skies" serve as poignant metaphors for the enduring spirit of the departed. The use of the word "phantom" emphasizes the ghost-like echoes of shared experiences, while the sun represents the warmth of remembered love. The poem concludes with a resonant desire for unity, expressing the hope that the essence of the departed might somehow be absorbed or carried on by the speaker.

This poem is a powerful exploration of grief and remembrance, using evocative imagery and the cyclical nature of time to explore the complex emotions surrounding loss. The poet's use of the natural world as a backdrop to the human experience adds a universal quality to the personal grief expressed.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.