Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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    Is any one sad in the world, I wonder?
        Does any one weep on a day like this,
    With the sun above, and the green earth under?
        Why, what is life but a dream of bliss?

    With the sun, and the skies, and the birds above me,
        Birds that sing as they wheel and fly - 
    With the winds to follow and say they love me - 
        Who could be lonely? O ho, not I!

    Somebody said, in the street this morning,
        As I opened my window to let in the light,
    That the darkest day of the world was dawning;
        But I looked, and the East was a gorgeous sight.

    One who claims that he knows about it
        Tells me the Earth is a vale of sin;
    But I and the bees and the birds - we doubt it,
        And think it a world worth living in.

    Some one says that hearts are fickle,
        That love is sorrow, that life is care,
    And the reaper Death, with his shining sickle,
        Gathers whatever is bright and fair.

    I told the thrush, and we laughed together,
        Laughed till the woods were all a-ring:
    And he said to me, as he plumed each feather,
        "Well, people must croak, if they cannot sing."

    Up he flew, but his song, remaining,
        Rang like a bell in my heart all day,
    And silenced the voices of weak complaining,
        That pipe like insects along the way.

    O world of light, and O world of beauty!
        Where are there pleasures so sweet as thine?
    Yes, life is love, and love is duty;
        And what heart sorrows? O no, not mine!

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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a profound exploration of the dichotomy between despair and joy, and the personal perception of one's environment. The poem’s central theme revolves around the appreciation of life and its beauty, a counter to the pessimistic views often expressed by others. The poet uses the natural world as a symbol of joy and contentment, referencing the sun, the green earth, the sky, and birds as manifestations of bliss.

The poet's tone is optimistic and defiant against the backdrop of negative voices mentioned throughout the poem. Their perspective is further emphasized through the use of rhetorical questions and direct dialogue. Structurally, the poem maintains a consistent rhyme scheme and rhythm, which enhances its lyrical quality and reinforces the sense of harmony embodied in the poet's worldview.

The poem is rich in imagery and metaphor, with the vibrant descriptions of nature serving as a metaphor for the poet's internal state: bright, alive, and full of wonder. The reaper Death with his "shining sickle," for instance, presents a striking image of the inevitability of mortality, yet it is quickly countered with laughter and song. The concluding lines encapsulate the poem's message: that life is love, love is duty, and despite sorrow, there is immense joy to be found in existence. Overall, this poem skillfully explores the concept of perception, emphasizing the power individuals hold in shaping their experiences of the world.