Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
So well I knew your habits and your ways, That like a picture painted on the skies, At the sweet closing of the summer days, You stand before my eyes. I see you on the old verandah there, While slow the shadows of the twilight fall, I see the very carving on the chair You tilt against the wall. The West grows dim. The faithful evening star Comes out and sheds its tender patient beam. I almost catch the scent of your cigar, As you sit there and dream. But dream of what? I know your outward life - Your ways, your habits; know they have not changed. But has one thought of me survived the strife Since we two were estranged? I know not of the workings of your heart; And yet I sometimes make myself believe That I perchance do hold some little part Of reveries at eve. I think you could not wholly put away The memories of a past that held so much. As birds fly homeward at the close of day, A word, a kiss, a touch, Must sometimes come and nestle in your breast And murmur to you of the long ago. Oh do they stir you with a vague unrest? What would I give to know!
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: The poem is a poignant exploration of longing, memory, and the enduring power of past relationships. It is deeply introspective, with the speaker expressing a desire to understand the emotional state of a once close, but now estranged, individual. The poet uses vivid and tactile imagery to convey a sense of nostalgia, as if the speaker is revisiting shared spaces and experiences. Phrases like "a picture painted on the skies," "the old verandah," and the "scent of your cigar" create a tangible, almost sensory, connection to the past.
A strong theme of the poem is the tension between knowing and not knowing. The speaker has intimate knowledge of the other's habits and characteristics, yet admits to being unsure of their current thoughts and feelings. This emotional ambiguity is further amplified by the use of rhetorical questions, creating an undertone of yearning and uncertainty. The poem's structure, comprised of eight quatrains with a consistent rhyme scheme, gives it a rhythmic, almost song-like quality that complements its emotional depth. The poem taps into universal feelings of longing and uncertainty, making it both relatable and deeply moving.
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.