Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
He said he loved me! Then he called my hair Silk threads wherewith sly Cupid strings his bow, My cheek a rose leaf fallen on new snow; And swore my round, full throat would bring despair To Venus or to Psyche. Time and care Will fade these locks; the merry god, I trow, Uses no grizzled cords upon his bow. How will it be when I, no longer fair, Plead for his kiss with cheeks whence long ago The early snowflakes melted quite away, The rose leaf died -and in whose sallow clay Lie the deep sunken tracks of life's gaunt crow? When this full throat shall wattle fold on fold, Like some ripe peach left drying on a wall, Or like a spent accordion, when all Its music has exhaled -will love grow cold?
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 poignant exploration of themes of love, beauty, and the inexorable passage of time. The speaker recalls a lover's past adorations, which are richly imbued with classical allusions to Cupid, Venus, and Psyche, lending an ironic grandeur to youthful beauty. However, the tone shifts from romantic nostalgia to a contemplative and somewhat melancholic reflection on aging, as the speaker anticipates the inevitable fading of physical allure.
The poem is structured with a clear contrast between the first and second halves. The beginning is filled with vibrant, sensuous imagery, while the latter part is marked by stark, somber metaphors. The speaker's apprehensions about the transience of love are echoed in the vivid images of a spent accordion and a drying peach. This shift underscores the impermanence of beauty and the fear of love's potential fickleness.
The poet's use of the rhetorical question in the closing lines leaves the reader with a lingering sense of uncertainty and melancholy, effectively conveying the speaker's anxieties. This poem thus serves as an emotive meditation on love's relationship with beauty and time, encouraging the reader to ponder the superficial and deeper dimensions of affection.
The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.
Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:
The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.