Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Why art thou sad, my Beppo? But last eve, Here at my feet, thy dear head on my breast, I heard thee say thy heart would no more grieve Or feel the olden ennui and unrest. What troubles thee? Am I not all thine own? - I, so long sought, so sighed for and so dear? And do I not live but for thee alone? "Thou hast seen Lippo, whom I loved last year!" Well, what of that? Last year is naught to me - 'Tis swallowed in the ocean of the past. Art thou not glad 'twas Lippo, and not thee, Whose brief bright day in that great gulf was cast. Thy day is all before thee. Let no cloud, Here in the very morn of our delight, Drift up from distant foreign skies, to shroud Our sun of love whose radiance is so bright. "Thou art not first?" Nay, and he who would be Defeats his own heart's dearest purpose then. No truer truth was ever told to thee - Who has loved most, he best can love again. If Lippo (and not he alone) has taught The arts that please thee, wherefore art thou sad? Since all my vast love-lore to thee is brought, Look up and smile, my Beppo, and be glad.
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 explores themes of love, jealousy, and the passage of time with an intimate and reassuring tone. The speaker addresses her lover, Beppo, who is mired in insecurity and sadness over her past relationship with Lippo. The structure of the poem, divided into couplets, helps emphasize the conversational tone and the back-and-forth dynamic between the speaker and Beppo.
The speaker uses both the ocean and the sun as metaphors for time and love, respectively. The ocean symbolizes the past, vast and swallowing, where she has cast her previous relationship with Lippo. This metaphor emphasizes the speaker's perspective on past relationships, seeing them as separate and distant. On the other hand, the sun represents their current love, radiant and bright. The speaker urges Beppo not to let clouds, or doubts about the past, obscure their present love.
The poem's standout literary device is its use of direct address, which establishes a personal dialogue and makes the reader feel privy to a private conversation. The poem also employs repetition, particularly of the question "why art thou sad?", emphasizing the speaker's concern and confusion over Beppo's sadness. The ending serves as a poignant reflection on love, suggesting that past relationships can serve to enrich present ones. Overall, the poem is a tender exploration of love's complexities, offering a perspective that values the depth and richness that comes with loving more than once.
Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.
Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:
From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.