The Bridal Kiss

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sonnet
    As fleecy clouds trail back across the skies,          Showing the sweet young moon in azure space,          The lifted veil revealed her shining face -     A sudden wonder to his eager eyes.     In that familiar beauty lurked surprise:          For now the wife stood in the maiden's place -          With conscious dignity, and woman's grace,     And love's large pride grown trebly fair and wise.     The world receded, leaving them alone.          The universe was theirs, from sphere to sphere,     And life assumed new meaning, and new worth.     Love held no privilege they did not own,          And when they kissed each other without fear,     They understood why God had made the earth.

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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 poignant exploration of love, transformation, and the discovery of new depths in a familiar relationship. It employs the imagery of the natural world, such as "fleecy clouds", "the sweet young moon", and "azure space", to mirror the unfolding emotional landscape. The initial surprise of the speaker upon seeing his wife's transformed, "shining face" reveals the theme of renewal and deepened understanding within an existing relationship.

The tone of the poem is one of wonder, reverence, and profound love. The speaker's awe at his wife's metamorphosis from "maiden" to a woman of "conscious dignity" and "love's large pride" highlights the theme of transformation and growth. The structured rhyme scheme and metrical rhythm lend a formal and dignified air to the poem, complementing its themes.

The poem culminates with a grand, cosmic-scale declaration of love and unity, as the speaker and his wife seem to possess the universe and understand the divine purpose of creation. This hyperbolic expression is a marked literary device that amplifies the depth of their connection. The final couplet underscores the theme of divine love and universal understanding, serving as a powerful conclusion to the poem. Overall, the poem presents an intimate and profound exploration of love and companionship.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.