Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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    That was a curious dream; I thought the three
        Great planets that are drawing near the sun
        With such unerring certainty, begun
    To talk together in a mighty glee.
    They spoke of vast convulsions which would be
        Throughout the solar system - the rare fun
        Of watching haughty stars drop, one by one,
    And vanish in a seething vapor sea.

    I thought I heard them comment on the earth - 
        That small dark object - doomed beyond a doubt.
        They wondered if live creatures moved about
    Its tiny surface, deeming it of worth.
        And then they laughed - 'twas such a ringing shout
    That I awoke and joined too in their mirth.

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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a contemplative exploration of cosmic forces and human insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe. The theme of cosmic indifference is palpable, as the speaker imagines celestial bodies nonchalantly discussing the impending demise of earth. The tone is paradoxically gleeful, juxtaposing the grim subject matter with the planets' apparent mirth at the thought of the earth's destruction. This serves to highlight the vast disconnect between human concerns and the indifferent machinations of the universe.

The poem's structure, divided into two quatrains and two tercets, contributes to its rhythm and pacing. The first quatrain introduces the dream-like scenario while the second delves into its more sinister implications. The tercets then shift the focus to earth and its presumably doomed inhabitants. Notable literary devices include personification, as the planets are given the ability to talk and laugh, and hyperbole, as the earth's destruction is described in grandiose terms. The final line of the poem, wherein the speaker joins the planets' laughter, serves as an ironic twist, further emphasizing the futility of human concerns in the face of cosmic indifference.