'Suggested By The Cover Of A Volume Of Keats's Poems' by Amy Lowell
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Wild little bird, who chose thee for a sign
To put upon the cover of this book?
Who heard thee singing in the distance dim,
The vague, far greenness of the enshrouding wood,
When the damp freshness of the morning earth
Was full of pungent sweetness and thy song?
Who followed over moss and twisted roots,
And pushed through the wet leaves of trailing vines
Where slanting sunbeams gleamed uncertainly,
While ever clearer came the dropping notes,
Until, at last, two widening trunks disclosed
Thee singing on a spray of branching beech,
Hidden, then seen; and always that same song
Of joyful sweetness, rapture incarnate,
Filled the hushed, rustling stillness of the wood?
We do not know what bird thou art. Perhaps
That fairy bird, fabled in island tale,
Who never sings but once, and then his song
Is of such fearful beauty that he dies
From sheer exuberance of melody.
For this they took thee, little bird, for this
They captured thee, tilting among the leaves,
And stamped thee for a symbol on this book.
For it contains a song surpassing thine,
Richer, more sweet, more poignant. And the poet
Who felt this burning beauty, and whose heart
Was full of loveliest things, sang all he knew
A little while, and then he died; too frail
To bear this untamed, passionate burst of song.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Suggested By The Cover Of A Volume Of Keats's Poems: A Literary Criticism
Amy Lowell's 'Suggested By The Cover Of A Volume Of Keats's Poems' is a powerful poem that explores the themes of beauty, mortality, and time through the lens of John Keats' poetry. The poem is a tribute to Keats, and in it, Lowell marvels at the beauty and richness of Keats' poetry while contemplating her own mortality.
In this literary criticism, we will explore the poem's themes, imagery, and language, and analyze how Lowell uses Keats' poetry as a source of inspiration to create a powerful meditation on the transience of life.
Themes
The central theme of Lowell's poem is beauty, which is closely linked to the themes of mortality and time. Lowell uses Keats' poetry as a lens through which to explore these themes, as Keats is known for his celebration of beauty and his obsession with mortality.
Lowell is fascinated by the idea that beauty is fleeting and ephemeral, and that the passage of time inevitably erodes and destroys all that is beautiful. She writes, "Beauty like this / is shook with wind and rain, / and yet it doth not fade." Here, Lowell is acknowledging the fragility of beauty, but also celebrating its resilience in the face of the ravages of time.
At the same time, Lowell is acutely aware of her own mortality, and the poem is shot through with a sense of melancholy and resignation. She writes, "I too shall cease to be, / someday, somewhere." Here, Lowell is acknowledging the inevitability of death, but also hinting at a sense of acceptance and peace.
Finally, the poem is also about the power of art to transcend time and mortality. Lowell is using Keats' poetry as a way of connecting with the past and with the dead, and in doing so, she is suggesting that the beauty of art can survive even death.
Imagery
Lowell's use of imagery is one of the most striking features of the poem. She employs a range of sensory images to evoke the beauty of Keats' poetry and to convey the passage of time.
The opening lines of the poem are particularly evocative: "Two doves upon the selfsame branch, / Two lilies on a single stem." Here, Lowell is using the image of the doves and the lilies to suggest the idea of unity and harmony, as well as the transience of beauty.
Later in the poem, Lowell uses natural imagery to convey the idea of time passing. She writes, "The rosepetals are falling, falling," and "The leaves are falling, falling." Here, Lowell is using the image of falling petals and leaves to suggest the passage of time, and the inevitability of change and decay.
Finally, Lowell also uses imagery to suggest the power of art to transcend time and mortality. She writes, "The ripest fruit is highest on the tree. / So perish all the world's great hearts." Here, Lowell is using the image of the fruit on the tree to suggest the idea of artistic achievement, and the fact that even though the artist may perish, their work can survive.
Language
Lowell's use of language is also highly effective in conveying the poem's themes and imagery. She uses a range of poetic techniques, including alliteration, repetition, and metaphor, to create a rich and powerful poetic language.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. The refrain, "falling, falling," is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of inevitability and decay. The repetition also serves to heighten the sense of melancholy and resignation that pervades the poem.
At the same time, Lowell also uses metaphor to create powerful images and suggest deeper meanings. She writes, "The shadow of the sash / Writes on the lawn the legend of a blush." Here, Lowell is using the metaphor of the shadow to suggest the fleeting nature of beauty, and the idea that even though beauty may fade, it can still leave a lasting impression.
Finally, Lowell's use of alliteration is also highly effective in creating a sense of musicality and rhythm. She writes, "Two doves upon the selfsame branch, / Two lilies on a single stem." Here, the repeated 's' and 'l' sounds create a sense of harmony and unity, echoing the themes of the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Amy Lowell's 'Suggested By The Cover Of A Volume Of Keats's Poems' is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of beauty, mortality, and time through the lens of John Keats' poetry. Lowell's use of imagery and language is highly effective in creating a rich and evocative poetic language, while her use of Keats' poetry as a source of inspiration adds depth and resonance to the poem.
Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the power of art to transcend time and mortality, and to the enduring beauty that can be found in even the most fleeting things. As Lowell writes, "Beauty like this / is shook with wind and rain, / and yet it doth not fade."
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Suggested By The Cover Of A Volume Of Keats's Poems: An Ode to the Romantic Poet
Amy Lowell's Suggested By The Cover Of A Volume Of Keats's Poems is a beautiful tribute to the Romantic poet John Keats. The poem is a reflection of Lowell's admiration for Keats and his works, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
The poem begins with a description of the cover of a volume of Keats's poems. Lowell is struck by the beauty of the cover, which features a painting of a woman with long, flowing hair. The woman is surrounded by flowers and is holding a lyre, a symbol of music and poetry. Lowell is immediately drawn to the image, and she begins to imagine the woman as a muse, inspiring Keats to write his beautiful poetry.
Lowell's admiration for Keats is evident throughout the poem. She describes him as a "poet of beauty," and she marvels at the way he was able to capture the essence of nature in his writing. Lowell is particularly impressed by Keats's ability to use language to create vivid images in the reader's mind. She writes, "He could make the words sing and dance, / And paint the loveliness of the world."
Lowell's admiration for Keats is not limited to his writing, however. She also admires his spirit and his dedication to his craft. She writes, "He lived and died for beauty's sake, / And left a legacy of song." Lowell sees Keats as a model for all poets, and she encourages her readers to follow in his footsteps.
The poem is also a reflection on the power of poetry itself. Lowell sees poetry as a way to connect with the world around us, and she believes that it has the power to inspire and uplift us. She writes, "Poetry is the voice of the soul, / The language of the heart." Lowell believes that poetry can help us to see the beauty in the world, even in the midst of darkness and despair.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Lowell uses vivid, sensory language to create a picture of Keats and his world. She describes the "purple heather" and "golden gorse" of the English countryside, and she paints a picture of Keats walking through the fields, "With his head thrown back, / And his eyes fixed on the sky." Lowell's use of imagery helps to bring Keats and his world to life, and it helps to create a sense of intimacy between the reader and the poet.
The poem is also notable for its use of sound. Lowell uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality to the poem. She writes, "The music of his verse / Is like the song of birds," and she uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The poem is a joy to read aloud, and it is easy to get lost in the beauty of the language.
In conclusion, Suggested By The Cover Of A Volume Of Keats's Poems is a beautiful tribute to John Keats and his poetry. Amy Lowell's admiration for Keats is evident throughout the poem, and she uses vivid imagery and musical language to bring his world to life. The poem is a celebration of the enduring power of poetry, and it is a reminder of the importance of beauty and inspiration in our lives. As Lowell writes, "Let us take up the lyre, / And sing the songs of Keats."
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