A Solar Eclipse

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    In that great journey of the stars through space          About the mighty, all-directing Sun,     The pallid, faithful Moon has been the one     Companion of the Earth.    Her tender face,     Pale with the swift, keen purpose of that race          Which at Time's natal hour was first begun,          Shines ever on her lover as they run     And lights his orbit with her silvery smile.     Sometimes such passionate love doth in her rise,          Down from her beaten path she softly slips,     And with her mantle veils the Sun's bold eyes,          Then in the gloaming finds her lover's lips.     While far and near the men our world call wise          See only that the Sun is in eclipse.

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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 celestial metaphor for love, employing the grandeur of the cosmos to convey profound human emotions. The primary characters are the Earth, Moon, and Sun, with the Moon and Earth portrayed as lovers in an eternal dance around the Sun. The poet's choice of words paints a picture of the Moon as a faithful companion, her 'silvery smile' lighting the Earth's path, reflecting a sense of loyalty and devotion.

The tone is romantic yet melancholic, underscored by the 'silvery smile' of the moon and the 'swift, keen purpose' of their journey, suggesting a blend of purposeful action and emotional intensity. The poem's structure, which follows a traditional rhyme scheme, lends a rhythm that echoes the cyclical nature of the celestial bodies' movements. The poem concludes with an ironic commentary on human wisdom, where the simple astronomical event of an eclipse is perceived, but the deeper connection between the Earth and Moon is overlooked. This could also serve as a critique of a society that often overlooks the profound and intimate in favor of the obvious and superficial. The use of such cosmic metaphors to reflect human experience gives the poem a timeless quality, reminding us of the universal and enduring nature of love.

Understanding the Sonnet

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:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

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.