'Tonight' by Sara Teasdale


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The moon is a curving flower of gold,
The sky is still and blue;
The moon was made for the sky to hold,
And I for you.

The moon is a flower without a stem,
The sky is luminous;
Eternity was made for them,
To-night for us.


Submitted by Venus

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tonight: A Journey Through Love and Despair

Sara Teasdale's poem "Tonight" is a masterful work of art that explores the complex emotions of love and despair. The poem is a journey through the innermost thoughts and feelings of the speaker, as she contemplates the fleeting nature of love and the pain of loss.

At the heart of the poem is the theme of impermanence. The speaker is acutely aware of the transitory nature of love, as she reflects on how it fades away like the dying light of day. She begins the poem by describing the beauty of the evening sky, with its "purple glow" and "gold and rose". The sunset is a metaphor for love, as it is a fleeting moment of beauty that is quickly replaced by darkness.

The speaker's sense of impermanence is underscored by the repetition of the word "tonight". The word is used throughout the poem to give a sense of time passing, and to emphasize the fleeting nature of the speaker's feelings. The repetition also gives the poem a sense of urgency, as if the speaker is desperately trying to hold on to something that is slipping away.

The theme of impermanence is further developed in the second stanza, where the speaker reflects on the transitory nature of life itself. She notes that "the days are all gone by" and that "the world is a dying ember". The image of a dying ember is a powerful one, as it suggests that life is slowly fading away into darkness. The speaker's contemplation of mortality adds a sense of depth and complexity to the poem, as it suggests that the impermanence of love is part of a larger, universal truth.

In addition to the theme of impermanence, the poem explores the emotions of love and despair. The speaker is clearly in love, as she describes the beauty of the evening sky and the "soft and sweet" sound of her lover's voice. However, her love is tinged with despair, as she acknowledges the pain of loss and the fact that love is fleeting.

The speaker's sense of despair is most evident in the final stanza, where she laments the fact that love must end. She notes that "the night will come" and that "the stars will shine no more". The image of the stars shining no more is a powerful one, as it suggests that love is a light that will eventually be extinguished. The speaker's despair is palpable in these lines, as she seems resigned to the fact that her love will not last forever.

Despite the pain of loss and the impermanence of love, the poem ends on a note of hope. The speaker notes that "somewhere, ages and ages hence", her love will be remembered. This final line suggests that love is not completely fleeting, but rather that it endures in memory. The image of the speaker's love being remembered "ages and ages hence" suggests that love is part of a larger, timeless truth that transcends the transitory nature of life.

In conclusion, "Tonight" is a masterful work of art that explores the complex emotions of love and despair. The poem is a journey through the innermost thoughts and feelings of the speaker, as she contemplates the fleeting nature of love and the pain of loss. At the heart of the poem is the theme of impermanence, which is developed through the repetition of the word "tonight" and the contemplation of mortality. The poem also explores the emotions of love and despair, as the speaker acknowledges the beauty and pain of love. Despite the impermanence of love, the poem ends on a note of hope, as the speaker suggests that love endures in memory. Overall, "Tonight" is a timeless work of art that speaks to the universal truths of love and loss.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Tonight by Sara Teasdale: A Poem of Love and Longing

Sara Teasdale's poem "Tonight" is a beautiful and poignant expression of love and longing. The poem captures the essence of a moment in time, when two lovers are together, and the world around them fades away. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing her lover, saying "I would be the wind that blows through your hair, / The soft touch of the rain on your face." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of romantic imagery and longing. The speaker is expressing her desire to be close to her lover, to be a part of him, and to experience the world with him.

The first stanza continues with the speaker saying, "I would be the warmth of your heart's desire, / The calm that comes after the storm." Here, the speaker is expressing her desire to be the source of comfort and peace for her lover. She wants to be the one who brings him joy and happiness, and who helps him through difficult times.

The second stanza of the poem is where the imagery becomes more vivid and powerful. The speaker says, "I would be the stars that shine in your eyes, / The moon that casts its light on your face." Here, the speaker is using celestial imagery to convey the depth of her love. She wants to be the light in her lover's life, the one who illuminates his path and guides him through the darkness.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "I would be the fire that burns in your soul, / The passion that drives you to be whole." Here, the speaker is expressing her desire to be the source of her lover's passion and drive. She wants to be the one who inspires him to be his best self, and who fuels his inner fire.

The final stanza of the poem brings everything together. The speaker says, "I would be all these things and more, / If only you would be with me tonight." Here, the speaker is expressing her longing for her lover's presence. She wants to be with him, to experience the world together, and to be a part of each other's lives.

The language used in the poem is simple and direct, yet powerful. The repetition of the phrase "I would be" throughout the poem creates a sense of continuity and unity. The use of celestial imagery, such as stars and the moon, adds a sense of wonder and awe to the poem. The use of fire imagery adds a sense of passion and intensity.

Overall, "Tonight" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of love and longing. The imagery and language used in the poem create a sense of unity and continuity, and convey the depth of the speaker's feelings. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and the longing that comes with it.

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