'"I Am Not Yours"' by Sarah Teasdale

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



I am not yours, not lost in you,
Not lost, although I long to be
Lost as a candle lit at noon,
Lost as a snowflake in the sea.

You love me, and I find you still
A spirit beautiful and bright,
Yet I am I, who long to be
Lost as a light is lost in light.

Oh plunge me deep in love -- put out
My senses, leave me deaf and blind,
Swept by the tempest of your love,
A taper in a rushing wind.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "I Am Not Yours" by Sarah Teasdale

"I Am Not Yours" is a classic poem by Sarah Teasdale that explores the idea of love and the complex emotions that come with it. The poem is written in first person, with the speaker expressing her desire to be free from the constraints of love.

Overview of the Poem

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the love of the person who is trying to win her heart. She admits that the person's love is pure and true, but states that she is not ready to be his. She wants to be free to live her life and move on her own terms.

The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the world around her. She speaks of the stars in the sky and the waves in the ocean, and how they make her feel alive. She longs to be free like the waves, to move with the current and not be tied down to any one person.

The poem ends with the speaker admitting that she may one day be ready for love, but for now, she wants to be free. She wants to be able to love without the fear of being trapped, and to live her life to the fullest.

Analysis of the Poem

"I Am Not Yours" is a powerful poem that speaks to the complex emotions that come with love. The speaker's desire to be free is a common theme in literature, as many people struggle with the idea of being tied down to one person.

The poem is written in a simple, yet beautiful style that makes it easy to understand and relate to. The imagery used throughout the poem is powerful, with the waves and stars representing the idea of freedom and the desire to be unbound.

The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker acknowledges the love of the person who is trying to win her heart, but makes it clear that she is not ready to be his. This is a common feeling among people who are not yet ready for a committed relationship, and the speaker's honesty is refreshing.

The second stanza is where the imagery really comes into play. The speaker describes the beauty of the world around her, and how it makes her feel alive. This is a powerful contrast to the idea of being tied down to one person, and speaks to the universal desire for freedom.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker admits that she may one day be ready for love, but for now, she wants to be free. This is a common feeling among people who are not yet ready for a committed relationship, and the speaker's honesty is refreshing.

Interpretation of the Poem

"I Am Not Yours" is a poem that speaks to the universal desire for freedom. The speaker's desire to be free from the constraints of love is something that many people can relate to, and the imagery used throughout the poem is powerful and evocative.

The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on the reader's own experiences with love and relationships. For some, the poem may be a reflection of their own desire for freedom and the fear of being tied down to one person. For others, the poem may be a reminder of the beauty of the world around us, and the importance of living life to the fullest.

Overall, "I Am Not Yours" is a timeless poem that speaks to the complex emotions that come with love. The poem's simple yet beautiful style, powerful imagery, and universal themes make it a classic piece of literature that will continue to be read and interpreted for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

I Am Not Yours: A Poem of Love and Independence

Sarah Teasdale's poem "I Am Not Yours" is a classic piece of literature that explores the themes of love, independence, and self-discovery. Written in the early 20th century, the poem has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning behind the poem and its relevance to modern-day relationships.

The poem begins with the speaker declaring that she is not the possession of her lover. She says, "I am not yours, not lost in you, / Not lost, although I long to be / Lost as a candle lit at noon, / Lost as a snowflake in the sea." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker asserts her independence and desire for self-discovery. She longs to be lost, but not in the sense of being owned or controlled by another person.

The second stanza continues this theme of independence, as the speaker declares that she is "not lost to you, not lost to myself." She is not willing to sacrifice her own identity for the sake of a relationship, nor is she willing to be consumed by her lover's desires. She is her own person, with her own thoughts and feelings, and she will not be subsumed by anyone else.

The third stanza introduces the idea of love, as the speaker says, "I am not yours, not first nor last, / But with each breath I take I cast / The dice of deathless love." Here, the speaker acknowledges that she is capable of love, but she will not be defined by it. She is not the first or last person to love her partner, but she is unique in her own right. She casts the dice of love with each breath she takes, suggesting that love is a constant presence in her life, but it does not define her.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem, as the speaker declares, "I am not yours, not wholly lost in you, / Not lost at all, not yet quite found." Here, the speaker asserts her independence once again, but she also acknowledges that she is not yet fully formed. She is still searching for herself, still trying to figure out who she is and what she wants. She is not lost in her lover, nor is she lost in herself, but she is not yet quite found.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker says, "I am not yours, not ever." This final assertion of independence is a powerful statement, as the speaker declares that she will never be owned or controlled by anyone else. She is her own person, with her own thoughts and feelings, and she will not be subsumed by anyone else.

Overall, "I Am Not Yours" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, independence, and self-discovery. The speaker asserts her independence throughout the poem, declaring that she is not the possession of her lover and that she will not be defined by love. She is her own person, with her own thoughts and feelings, and she will not be subsumed by anyone else. This message is just as relevant today as it was when the poem was written, as people continue to struggle with issues of identity and independence in their relationships.

In conclusion, "I Am Not Yours" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its message of independence and self-discovery is just as relevant now as it was when it was written, and it serves as a powerful reminder that we are all unique individuals with our own thoughts and feelings. Whether we are in a relationship or not, we must always remember to assert our independence and never allow ourselves to be defined by anyone else.

Editor Recommended Sites

Persona 6: Speculation about the next title in the persona series
Crytpo News - Coindesk alternative: The latest crypto news. See what CZ tweeted today, and why Michael Saylor will be liquidated
Event Trigger: Everything related to lambda cloud functions, trigger cloud event handlers, cloud event callbacks, database cdc streaming, cloud event rules engines
Graph Database Shacl: Graphdb rules and constraints for data quality assurance
Last Edu: Find online education online. Free university and college courses on machine learning, AI, computer science

Recommended Similar Analysis

when serpents bargain for the right to squirm... (22) by e.e. cummings analysis
John Anderson, My Jo by Robert Burns analysis
A White Rose by John Boyle O'Reilly analysis
She sweeps with many-colored Brooms by Emily Dickinson analysis
The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes analysis
The Shield Of Achilles by W.H. Auden analysis
Spring Pools by Robert Lee Frost analysis
The sky is low, the clouds are mean, by Emily Dickinson analysis
In Reference to her Children, 23 June 1659 by Anne Bradstreet analysis
Sonnet XLI by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis