Over The May Hill

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Elegy
    All through the night time, and all through the day time,         Dreading the morning and dreading the night,     Nearer and nearer we drift to the May time         Season of beauty and season of blight,     Leaves on the linden, and sun on the meadow,         Green in the garden, and bloom everywhere,     Gloom in my heart, and a terrible shadow,         Walks by me, sits by me, stands by my chair.     Oh, but the birds by the brooklet are cheery,         Oh, but the woods show such delicate greens,     Strange how you droop and how soon you are weary -         Too well I know what that weariness means.     But how could I know in the crisp winter weather         (Though sometimes I noticed a catch in your breath),     Riding and singing and dancing together,         How could I know you were racing with death?     How could I know when we danced until morning,         And you were the gayest of all the gay crowd -     With only that shortness of breath for a warning,         How could I know that you danced for a shroud?     Whirling and whirling through moonlight and starlight,         Rocking as lightly as boats on the wave,     Down in your eyes shone a deep light - a far light,         How could I know 'twas the light to your grave?     Day by day, day by day, nearing and nearing,         Hid under greenness, and beauty and bloom,     Cometh the shape and the shadow I'm fearing,         "Over the May hill" is waiting your tomb.     The season of mirth and of music is over -         I have danced my last dance, I have sung my last song,     Under the violets, under the clover,         My heart and my love will be lying ere long.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem intricately weaves together themes of love, mortality, and the changing seasons, manifesting a deep sense of melancholy and impending loss. The poet uses the cyclical nature of time and the seasons as a backdrop to a personal narrative of love and impending death, as the joy of the "May time" is cast under the shadow of mortality. The repetition of phrases like "how could I know," underscores the theme of unexpected loss, highlighting the speaker's shock and bewilderment.

The poet employs vivid imagery and contrast to highlight the juxtaposition between external beauty and internal despair. The imagery of “Leaves on the linden, and sun on the meadow” contrasts sharply with the “gloom in my heart, and a terrible shadow.” These contrasting images emphasize the speaker's inner turmoil amidst the blossoming external world. The poem's tone oscillates between cheerfulness, depicted in the descriptions of nature, and sorrow, portrayed through the speaker's lament. The poem's structure, composed of quatrains, provides a measured rhythm that underscores the duality of life and death, joy and sorrow, further emphasized by the use of oxymoron like “Season of beauty and season of blight.” The final lines bring a sense of closure, albeit a sorrowful one, encapsulating the heartbreaking acceptance of loss.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.