An Anemone

This poem is a sophisticated exploration of beauty, wisdom, and the human quest for understanding. The poet employs classical references such as Dryads and Oreads, nymphs from Greek mythology, to emphasize the timeless, transcendent nature of beauty. The speaker's plea to "Teach me the wisdom of thy beauty", introduces the theme of knowledge and its relationship with beauty. This sentiment is echoed throughout, revealing a humble desire to grasp the essence of beauty and the wisdom it might carry.

The tone of the poem is reflective and somewhat plaintive, with an undercurrent of yearning. This is especially evident in the speaker's repeated requests for teaching and understanding. The poem's structure, comprising four stanzas, each with a distinct focus, helps to unravel the speaker's thought process, moving from a plea for understanding, to an acknowledgement of the speaker's ignorance, to a resolution to remember beauty even in oblivion, and finally to the realization of the audacity of their request.

There's a noteworthy use of metaphor and simile, particularly in describing beauty-- it's depicted as "shrinking loveliness", "distinctly delicate", and "slight perfections", creating an image that is ethereal and fragile. The poet also employs the classical concept of "Lethe", the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology, to underscore the theme of memory and oblivion. The concluding sentiment is a powerful reminder of the limits of human understanding, with a gentle rebuke to the speaker's presumption in seeking to comprehend the incomprehensible. This poem, therefore, invites the reader to appreciate beauty in its myriad forms, while acknowledging its inherent mystery.