Husks

Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox

    She looked at her neighbour's house in the light of the waning day - 
    A shower of rice on the steps, and the shreds of a bride's bouquet.
    And then she drew the shade, to shut out the growing gloom,
    But she shut it into her heart instead.    (Was that a voice in the room?)

    'My neighbour is sad,' she sighed, 'like the mother bird who sees
    The last of her brood fly out of the nest to make its home in the trees' - 
    And then in a passion of tears - 'But, oh, to be sad like her:
    Sad for a joy that has come and gone!'    (Did some one speak, or stir?)

    She looked at her faded hands, all burdened with costly rings;
    She looked on her widowed home, all burdened with priceless things.
    She thought of the dead years gone, of the empty years ahead - 
    (Yes, something stirred and something spake, and this was what it said:)

    'The voice of the Might Have Been speaks here through the lonely dusk;
    Life offered the fruits of love; you gathered only the husk.
    There are jewels ablaze on your breast where never a child has slept.'
    She covered her face with her ringed old hands, and wept and wept and wept.
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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: The poem is a poignant exploration of regret, loneliness, and unfulfilled desires. The central character is a woman who, despite her wealth, is haunted by a profound sense of emptiness and longing. The contrasting imagery of her neighbour's house - symbolizing life, celebration, and continuity - and her own home - teeming with material possessions yet devoid of emotional warmth - underscores the theme of emotional impoverishment amidst material abundance.

The poem's tone is deeply melancholic, accentuated by the recurring motif of the voice and stir in the room, presumably representing her inner conscience or a ghost from the past. The structure of the poem, with the evocative refrain at the end of each stanza (Was that a voice in the room? / Did someone speak, or stir?), creates a haunting, spectral quality. The final stanza concludes with a heartbreaking revelation, where the voice directly confronts the woman's choices, leading to her emotional breakdown. The use of the metaphor "jewels ablaze on your breast where never a child has slept" is a particularly striking illustration of her unfulfilled desire for motherhood. Overall, the poem is a skillful blend of vivid imagery, evocative language, and emotional intensity, offering a heartrending exploration of human regret and the profound emptiness of a life lived without love.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.