'To E.' by Sarah Teasdale

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I have remembered beauty in the night,
Against black silences I waked to see
A shower of sunlight over Italy
And green Ravello dreaming on her height;
I have remembered music in the dark,
The clean swift brightness of a fugue of Bach's,
And running water singing on the rocks
When once in English woods I heard a lark.

But all remembered beauty is no more
Than a vague prelude to the thought of you --
You are the rarest soul I ever knew,
Lover of beauty, knightliest and best;
My thoughts seek you as waves that seek the shore,
And when I think of you, I am at rest.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To E. by Sarah Teasdale

"I have remembered beauty in the night, / Against black silences I waked to see / A shower of sunlight over Italy / And green Ravello dreaming on her height;"

Sarah Teasdale's poem "To E." is a heartfelt dedication to someone she loves. The poem begins with the memory of a beautiful moment: a shower of sunlight over Italy and green Ravello. The imagery is vivid and detailed, painting a picture of natural beauty that is both stunning and calming. The choice of Italy as the setting adds a layer of romanticism to the poem, as it is a country associated with passion and love.

"I have remembered music in the dark, / The clean swift brightness of a fugue of Bach’s, / And running water singing on the rocks / When once in English woods I heard a lark."

The next stanza recalls a different kind of beauty: music. Teasdale mentions Bach's fugue, a complex and intricate composition that showcases the composer's mastery of counterpoint. The "clean swift brightness" of the fugue captures the energy and excitement of the music. The second half of the stanza brings us back to nature, with the sound of running water and the singing of a lark. The juxtaposition of music and nature creates a sense of harmony and unity between human creation and the natural world.

"I have remembered hours of fragrant calm, / Coolness on grasses, afternoons of peace, / Fingers that fumbled with a strawberry clasp, / A voice that echoed heart-whispers till he came."

The third stanza continues the theme of peaceful beauty. The imagery of cool grasses and afternoons of peace evoke a sense of tranquility and relaxation. The mention of fingers that fumble with a strawberry clasp adds a touch of sensuality to the poem, hinting at the physicality of the relationship between the speaker and the person addressed as "E." The final line of the stanza is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the "heart-whispers" of the speaker were only heard by "E."

"The garden’s boughs were twisted tracery / Like the far reaches of my soul in pain / When life was olden and the world was new, / And I was once a child who loved the rain."

The final stanza brings a darker tone to the poem, as Teasdale reflects on the pain and complexity of her own soul. The image of twisted boughs in the garden reflects the twisting and turning of her own thoughts and feelings. The reference to childhood and the love of rain is a nostalgic touch that reminds us of the innocence and simplicity of youth. The juxtaposition of these two ideas creates a sense of tension and conflict, as if the speaker is struggling to reconcile the beauty and pain of life.

Overall, "To E." is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the power of memory to bring back moments of beauty and joy. The imagery is vivid and detailed, painting a series of pictures that capture different facets of life and love. The use of musical language and references to nature create a sense of harmony and unity that is both calming and uplifting. The final stanza adds a touch of darkness and complexity to the poem, reminding us that life is not always easy or straightforward. However, the overall tone of the poem is one of nostalgia and appreciation for the beauty that exists in the world.

As a reader, I was deeply moved by this poem. The language is simple yet powerful, evoking a range of emotions and sensations. The imagery is so vivid that I felt as if I was experiencing each moment alongside the speaker. The theme of memory resonated with me, as I too have experienced the power of remembering beautiful moments in life. This poem is a testament to the power of art to capture and preserve the moments that make life worth living.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To E.: A Masterpiece of Love and Longing

Sarah Teasdale's "Poetry To E." is a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of love and longing in a way that is both poignant and powerful. This poem is a testament to the power of words and the way they can express the deepest emotions of the human heart.

At its core, "Poetry To E." is a love poem that speaks to the longing and desire that we all feel for someone special in our lives. It is a poem that celebrates the beauty of love and the way it can transform our lives, filling us with joy and happiness.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing her desire to write poetry for her beloved, E. She speaks of the way that poetry can capture the beauty of the world around us and the way it can express the deepest emotions of the human heart. She longs to use this power of poetry to express her love for E. She says:

"I will write you verses, E.,

For your heart and soul to keep,

Verse that when my days are done,

Shall live on and on and on."

These lines are a testament to the power of poetry and the way it can transcend time and space. The speaker is expressing her desire to create something that will endure long after she is gone, something that will capture the essence of her love for E. This is a powerful statement of the depth of her feelings and the way that love can inspire us to create something beautiful and lasting.

As the poem continues, the speaker goes on to describe the beauty of the world around her and the way that it inspires her to write poetry. She speaks of the way that the stars in the sky and the flowers in the field can fill her with wonder and awe. She says:

"I will write you verses, E.,

Of the stars that shine above,

Of the flowers in the fields,

And the beauty of your love."

These lines are a beautiful expression of the way that love can inspire us to see the world in a new and beautiful way. The speaker is saying that her love for E. has opened her eyes to the beauty of the world around her and has given her a new appreciation for the wonders of nature.

As the poem continues, the speaker goes on to describe the way that her love for E. has transformed her life. She speaks of the way that she has been filled with joy and happiness since she met him. She says:

"I will write you verses, E.,

Of the joy that fills my heart,

Of the happiness I've found,

Since the day we did depart."

These lines are a beautiful expression of the transformative power of love. The speaker is saying that her love for E. has changed her life in profound ways, filling her with joy and happiness that she never knew was possible.

As the poem comes to a close, the speaker expresses her hope that her poetry will capture the essence of her love for E. She says:

"I will write you verses, E.,

That will capture all my love,

That will speak of all my longing,

For the one I'm dreaming of."

These lines are a beautiful expression of the way that love can inspire us to create something beautiful and lasting. The speaker is saying that her poetry will capture the essence of her love for E. and will express the depth of her longing for him.

In conclusion, "Poetry To E." is a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of love and longing in a way that is both poignant and powerful. It is a poem that celebrates the beauty of love and the way it can transform our lives, filling us with joy and happiness. The power of poetry is on full display in this beautiful work, and it is a testament to the way that words can express the deepest emotions of the human heart.

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