Drouth.

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
             Why do we pity those who weep? The pain          That finds a ready outlet in the flow          Of salt and bitter tears is blessed woe,              And does not need our sympathies. The rain              But fits the shorn field for new yield of grain;          While the red, brazen skies, the sun's fierce glow,          The dry, hot winds that from the tropics blow              Do parch and wither the unsheltered plain.              The anguish that through long, remorseless years          Looks out upon the world with no relief              Of sudden tempests or slow-dripping tears -          The still, unuttered, silent, wordless grief              That evermore doth ache, and ache, and ache -              This is the sorrow wherewith hearts do break.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem explores the themes of sorrow, empathy, and the human condition. It begins by questioning why we sympathize with those who openly express their pain through tears, suggesting that such an outward expression of pain is a form of blessed relief. This notion is vividly illustrated through the metaphor of rain nourishing a shorn field, a potent image that encapsulates the cathartic effect of emotional release.

The tone of the poem however shifts in the second half, where a contrasting image of unexpressed sorrow is presented. Here, the poet uses stark, desert-like imagery to symbolize the desolation of suppressed grief, invoking the harshness of "red, brazen skies" and "dry, hot winds". The repetition of "ache" in the final line underscores the relentless torment of such silent suffering. Structurally, the poem employs a consistent rhyming scheme, which lends a sense of rhythm and flow to the weighty subject matter.

The poem ultimately suggests that the deepest, most damaging sorrow is that which is kept hidden and unexpressed. It illuminates the paradox of human empathy, wherein we are often more attuned to visible signs of distress, while the most profound suffering may remain unseen and unacknowledged.

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.