Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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    Oh, I have dreams.    I sometimes dream of Life
         In the full meaning of that splendid word.
         Its subtle music which few men have heard,
    Though all may hear it, sounding through earth's strife.
    Its mountain heights by mystic breezes kissed
         Lifting their lovely peaks above the dust;
         Its treasures which no touch of time can rust,
    Its emerald seas, its dawns of amethyst,
         Its certain purpose, its serene repose,
         Its usefulness, that finds no hour for woes,
        This is my dream of Life.

    Yes, I have dreams.    I ofttimes dream of Love
         As radiant and brilliant as a star.
         As changeless, too, as that fixed light afar
    Which glorifies vast worlds of space above.
    Strong as the tempest when it holds its breath,
         Before it bursts in fury; and as deep
         As the unfathomed seas, where lost worlds sleep,
    And sad as birth, and beautiful as death.
         As fervent as the fondest soul could crave,
         Yet holy as the moonlight on a grave.
        This is my dream of Love.

    Yes, yes, I dream.    One oft-recurring dream
         Is beautiful and comforting and blest,
         Complete with certain promises of rest,
    Divine content, and ecstasy supreme.
    When that strange essence, author of all faith,
         That subtle something, which cries for the light,
         Like a lost child who wanders in the night,
    Shall solve the mighty mystery of Death,
         Shall find eternal progress, or sublime
         And satisfying slumber for all time.
        This is my dream of Death.

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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 the grand themes of life, love, and death through the lens of dreams. The poet's use of lush, evocative imagery and rich language paints an intensely personal and profound picture of these universal experiences. The tone is contemplative and hopeful, reflecting the poet's deep longing for understanding and clarity.

The poem's structure, divided into three distinct stanzas, allows the poet to delve into each theme separately, providing a comprehensive exploration of each. The themes of life, love, and death are entwined with a sense of awe and mystery. The poet's use of metaphors and similes - life as music, love as a star, and death as a mystery - further illuminates the profound nature of these experiences. The recurring phrase "this is my dream of" emphasizes the subjective and personal nature of these thoughts. The poet also employs personification, attributing human characteristics to abstract concepts such as life, love, and death, which further underscores their importance and relatability.

The poet also makes effective use of contrasts, such as "sad as birth, and beautiful as death," which plays on typical conceptions and adds depth to the exploration of the themes. The poem ends on a note of hopeful curiosity, with the poet dreaming of a time when the "mystery of Death," will be revealed. This hope for understanding and acceptance is a powerful note on which to conclude, leaving the reader with a sense of the poet's enduring quest for meaning.