Guilo.

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Lyric Poem
             Yes, yes! I love thee, Guilo; thee alone.          Why dost thou sigh, and wear that face of sorrow?              The sunshine is to-day's, although it shone          On yesterday, and may shine on to-morrow.              I love but thee, my Guilo! be content;          The greediest heart can claim but present pleasure.              The future is thy God's. The past is spent.          To-day is thine; clasp close the precious treasure.              See how I love thee, Guilo! Lips and eyes          Could never under thy fond gaze dissemble.              I could not feign these passion-laden sighs;          Deceiving thee, my pulses would not tremble.              "So I loved Romney." Hush, thou foolish one -          I should forget him wholly wouldst thou let me;              Or but remember that his day was done          From that supremest hour when first I met thee.              "And Paul?" Well, what of Paul? Paul had blue eyes,          And Romney gray, and thine are darkly tender!              One finds fresh feelings under change of skies -          A new horizon brings a newer splendor.              As I love thee I never loved before;          Believe me, Guilo, for I speak most truly.              What though to Romney and to Paul I swore          The self-same words; my heart now worships newly.              We never feel the same emotion twice:          No two ships ever ploughed the self-same billow;              The waters change with every fall and rise;          So, Guilo, go contented to thy pillow.

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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 romantic exploration of love and temporality, presenting an intimate dialogue between the speaker and her lover, Guilo. The theme of transience is communicated through the speaker's assertion of loving Guilo in a way she has never loved before, despite her past romantic experiences with Romney and Paul. The speaker's tone is earnest and passionate, as she implores Guilo to understand and accept her love as exclusive and genuine.

The poem's structure follows a consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, reinforcing the speaker's persistent declarations of love. The poet uses the recurrent metaphor of a day's sunshine and the changing tides to compare the fluidity and impermanence of emotions, emphasizing that love can evolve and transform with time, just like the moving waters. This metaphor serves as a central pivot for the poem, weaving the past, present, and future into a tapestry of the speaker's emotional journey. The poem's ending turns the initial plea for acceptance into a comforting assurance, offering a sense of closure to both the speaker's argument and the reader's journey through the poem. Overall, the poem is a compelling exploration of love's evolution and the unique ways it manifests with each new encounter.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

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:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

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.