'St . Valentine's Day' by Edith Nesbit
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The South is a dream of flowers
With a jewel for sky and sea,
Rose-crowns for the dancing hours,
Gold fruits upon every tree;
But cold from the North The wind blows forth
That blows my love to me.
The stars in the South are gold
Like lamps between sky and sea;
The flowers that the forests hold.
Like stars between tree and tree;
But little and white Is the pale moon's light
That lights my love to me.
In the South the orange grove
Makes dusk by the dusky sea,
White palaces wrought for love
Gleam white between tree and tree,
But under bare boughs Is the little house
Warm-lit for my love and me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"St. Valentine's Day" by Edith Nesbit: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were there, experiencing every emotion the poet was trying to convey? That's exactly how I felt when I read "St. Valentine's Day" by Edith Nesbit. This classic poem, originally published in 1899, is a beautiful ode to love and the pain of loss.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the various literary devices used in "St. Valentine's Day" to convey its themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. I will also analyze the poem's structure, tone, and imagery to understand how they contribute to its overall meaning.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking aspects of "St. Valentine's Day" is Nesbit's use of repetition. The poem is divided into two parts, the first of which uses repetition to create a sense of time passing. The speaker begins by describing the "valleys" and "uplands" of her youth, and how she and her lover wandered "hand in hand" through them. She then repeats this imagery, but adds a sense of loss and longing as she looks back on those happy times:
"Do you remember still the paths we took, The lanes we walked in, and the way we went, How we followed every winding way, and shook The daisies from the meadow-scented lent; When we were young, and did not know or care That Time would come with stealthy, silent tread, And steal our joys away, and leave us there With only memories of the happy dead?"
Nesbit's use of repetition here is particularly effective because it creates a sense of nostalgia and regret. The speaker is looking back on a time of innocence and joy, but also acknowledging that it is gone forever.
Another literary device that Nesbit employs in "St. Valentine's Day" is personification. Throughout the poem, she personifies time as a thief who steals away the speaker's happiness. This is most evident in the second part of the poem, where the speaker laments the loss of her lover:
"O Time and change! - with hair as white as snow, With feet of wind, and eyes of fire and tears, - O Time and change, who evermore dost go Through life and death, through hopes and human fears, You who dost bring the lover's first sweet kiss, And then the bitter parting of farewell, And all the countless joys and griefs that is The life of man, - O Time and change, - farewell!"
By personifying time in this way, Nesbit is able to give voice to the speaker's pain and loss. Time becomes a tangible force that has robbed the speaker of her happiness, and the reader can feel her agony as she says goodbye to her lover.
Structure
The structure of "St. Valentine's Day" is also worth examining. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part describing the speaker's memories of her youth, and the second part focusing on her grief and loss. This division creates a sense of contrast between the two sections, highlighting the passage of time and the changes it brings.
The poem is also written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a flowing, rhythmic quality. This rhythm helps to convey the speaker's emotions, creating a sense of movement and increasing the poem's emotional impact.
Tone
The tone of "St. Valentine's Day" is one of melancholy and regret. The speaker remembers a time of happiness and innocence, but now that time is gone forever. She is left with only memories, and the pain of loss is palpable throughout the poem.
At the same time, however, there is also a sense of acceptance in the speaker's words. She acknowledges that time and change are inevitable, and that everyone must face loss and grief at some point in their lives. This acceptance adds depth to the poem, making it a powerful meditation on the human experience.
Imagery
Finally, the imagery in "St. Valentine's Day" is both vivid and evocative. Nesbit uses natural imagery to create a sense of beauty and nostalgia, describing the "valleys" and "uplands" of the speaker's youth, as well as the scent of meadow flowers and the "sweet kiss" of love.
At the same time, there is also a sense of darkness and foreboding in the poem's imagery. The speaker describes time as a thief with "eyes of fire and tears," and the final lines of the poem are a farewell to both time and change. This duality of imagery adds depth and complexity to the poem, highlighting both the beauty and the pain of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "St. Valentine's Day" is a masterpiece of love and loss. Nesbit's use of repetition, personification, structure, tone, and imagery all contribute to the poem's powerful emotional impact, making it a timeless meditation on the human experience.
As I read and reread this poem, I could feel the depth of the speaker's emotions, and I was struck by how universal her experiences are. We all experience love and loss at some point in our lives, and "St. Valentine's Day" reminds us of the beauty and pain that come with these experiences.
So if you haven't read this classic poem yet, I highly recommend you do so. It will take you on an emotional journey you won't soon forget.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry St. Valentine's Day: A Classic Love Poem by Edith Nesbit
Love is a powerful emotion that has been celebrated in literature for centuries. From Shakespeare's sonnets to modern-day love songs, love has been the subject of countless works of art. One such work is the classic poem "St. Valentine's Day" by Edith Nesbit. This beautiful poem captures the essence of love and the joy it brings to our lives.
Edith Nesbit was a British author and poet who lived from 1858 to 1924. She is best known for her children's books, including "The Railway Children" and "Five Children and It." However, she also wrote poetry, and "St. Valentine's Day" is one of her most famous works.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing her lover on Valentine's Day. She tells him that she loves him more than words can express and that she wishes she could give him the world. She then goes on to describe the beauty of the day, with its clear blue sky and the birds singing in the trees.
The speaker then compares her love to the beauty of nature. She says that her love is like the sunshine that warms the earth and the flowers that bloom in the spring. She also compares her love to the stars in the sky, saying that it shines bright and true.
The poem then takes a more melancholy turn as the speaker acknowledges that love is not always easy. She says that there are times when love can be painful and that it requires sacrifice. She tells her lover that she is willing to make those sacrifices for him because she loves him so much.
The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the speaker's love. She says that she will love her lover until the end of time and that even death cannot separate them. She tells him that their love will live on forever, like the stars in the sky.
"St. Valentine's Day" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love. It celebrates the joy that love brings to our lives while acknowledging that it can also be difficult at times. The poem is full of beautiful imagery, from the clear blue sky to the stars in the sky. It is a testament to the power of love and the enduring nature of true love.
One of the things that makes this poem so special is its timeless quality. Although it was written over a century ago, it still resonates with readers today. Love is a universal emotion that transcends time and place, and this poem captures that perfectly.
Another thing that makes this poem so special is its simplicity. Nesbit's language is straightforward and easy to understand, yet it is also incredibly powerful. She doesn't need flowery language or complex metaphors to convey the depth of her feelings. Instead, she uses simple, direct language that speaks directly to the heart.
In conclusion, "St. Valentine's Day" is a classic love poem that has stood the test of time. It celebrates the joy of love while acknowledging its challenges. It is a beautiful expression of the enduring nature of true love and the power it has to transform our lives. Whether you are in a new relationship or have been with your partner for years, this poem is sure to touch your heart and remind you of the beauty of love.
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