Before And After

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    Before I lost my love, he said to me:          'Sweetheart, I like deep azure tints on you.'     But I, perverse as any girl will be          Who has too many lovers, wore not blue.     He said, 'I love to see my lady's hair          Coiled low like Clytie's -with no wanton curl.'     But I, like any silly, wilful girl,          Said, 'Donald likes it high,' and wore it there.     He said, 'I wish, love, when you sing to me,          You would sing sweet, sad things -they suit your voice.'     I tossed my head, and sung light strains of glee -          Saying, 'This song, or that, is Harold's choice.'     But now I wear no colour -none but blue.          Low in my neck I coil my silken hair.     He does not know it, but I strive to do          Whatever in his eyes would make me fair.     I sing no songs but those he loved the best.          (Ah! well, no wonder: for the mournful strain     Is but the echo of the voice of pain,          That sings so mournfully within my breast.)     I would not wear a ribbon or a curl          For Donald, if he died from my neglect -     Oh me! how many a vain and wilful girl          Learns true love's worth, but -when her life is wrecked.

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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 poignant exploration of regret, lost opportunities, and the power of hindsight in the realm of love. The central theme revolves around the speaker's reflection on her past behavior towards her lover, whose preferences she ignored in favor of other suitors. The speaker's dismissive attitude towards her lover's preferences in the past contrasts sharply with her present actions, where she adheres meticulously to his tastes. This change appears to be driven by a sense of remorse after losing him, hence the recurring theme of regret.

The tone of the poem is melancholic, with the speaker expressing a yearning for the past and a deep sense of loss. The structure of the poem, which alternates between the memory of the past and the narrator's present actions, underscores the contrast and amplifies the regret. Noteworthy literary devices include the use of direct dialogue to reveal the lover's preferences, and the repetition of the word 'said' to emphasize the speaker's previous disregard for her lover's desires. The final line delivers a powerful message on the destructive consequences of vanity and neglect in relationships, providing a sobering close to the poem.

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.