'Dew' by Sarah Teasdale


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As dew leaves the cobweb lightly
Threaded with stars,
Scattering jewels on the fence
And the pasture bars;
As dawn leaves the dry grass bright
And the tangled weeds
Bearing a rainbow gem
On each of their seeds;
So has your love, my lover,
Fresh as the dawn,
Made me a shining road
To travel on,
Set every common sight
Of tree or stone
Delicately alight
For me alone.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Dew by Sarah Teasdale

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this stunning piece of poetry? Sarah Teasdale's "Dew" is a masterpiece that captures the beauty and transience of life in a way that is both melancholic and uplifting at the same time. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to unravel its many layers of meaning.

Themes

At its core, "Dew" is a poem about the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of change. The title itself alludes to this theme, as dew is a transient and fleeting natural phenomenon that disappears with the rising sun. Throughout the poem, Teasdale uses rich and evocative imagery to explore this theme, painting a picture of a world that is constantly shifting and changing:

Look off in the west, where the low sky is glowing With colors of infinite grace; Softly and still, like a story of fairy The dusk comes down in the place.

The beauty of the sunset and the approaching dusk are symbolic of the transience of life, reminding us that everything must come to an end eventually. However, this theme is not presented in a bleak or pessimistic way. Instead, Teasdale finds hope and beauty in the impermanence of life, suggesting that it is the very transience of things that makes them precious:

But oh, the scent of the far-away places, Blown by the wandering wind! And oh, the kiss of the dew on the roses, That only the starlight has seen!

The scent of far-away places and the kiss of dew on roses are both fleeting and ephemeral, but they are also imbued with an otherworldly beauty and significance. Teasdale suggests that it is the fleetingness of these experiences that makes them so special, reminding us to cherish the moments we have and to appreciate the beauty around us while it lasts.

Imagery

One of the most striking things about "Dew" is the vivid and evocative imagery that Teasdale employs throughout the poem. From the opening lines, she sets the scene with a series of sensory details that transport the reader to a place of natural beauty:

The twilight is sad and cloudy, The wind blows wild and free, And like the wings of sea-birds Flash the white caps of the sea.

The use of words like "sad" and "cloudy" create a sense of melancholy and foreboding, while the imagery of the wild wind and the white caps of the sea suggest a sense of danger and unpredictability. This sets the stage for the themes of transience and change that are explored later in the poem.

Throughout the rest of the poem, Teasdale continues to use vivid and evocative imagery to explore these themes. For example, she describes the beauty of the sunset in detail:

Look off in the west, where the low sky is glowing With colors of infinite grace; Softly and still, like a story of fairy The dusk comes down in the place.

The use of words like "glowing" and "infinite grace" create a sense of wonder and awe, while the comparison to a "story of fairy" evokes a sense of enchantment and magic.

Language

The language used in "Dew" is rich and lyrical, with a musicality that enhances the beauty of the imagery and themes. Teasdale's use of rhyme and repetition creates a sense of unity and coherence, while also emphasizing the key themes of the poem.

For example, the repetition of the word "dew" throughout the poem creates a sense of continuity and connection, reminding us of the transience of life and the beauty that can be found in fleeting moments:

But oh, the scent of the far-away places, Blown by the wandering wind! And oh, the kiss of the dew on the roses, That only the starlight has seen!

The repetition of the word "oh" also adds a sense of wonder and awe, emphasizing the beauty of the natural world and the emotions it inspires.

Interpretation

In interpreting "Dew," it is important to keep in mind the themes of transience and change that are central to the poem. Teasdale reminds us that life is fleeting and impermanent, and that everything we love and cherish will eventually disappear. However, she also suggests that it is the very fleetingness of life that makes it beautiful and precious. By emphasizing the beauty of natural phenomena like the sunset and the dew on roses, she encourages us to cherish the moments we have and to appreciate the world around us while it lasts.

Overall, "Dew" is a stunning poem that captures the essence of life in all its beauty and transience. Through vivid and evocative imagery, rich and lyrical language, and a deep understanding of the human experience, Sarah Teasdale has created a masterpiece that speaks to us across the ages.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dew: A Masterpiece of Emotion and Imagery

Sarah Teasdale's "Poetry Dew" is a poem that captures the essence of poetry itself. It is a masterpiece of emotion and imagery that speaks to the heart and soul of every reader. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this classic poem.

Themes

The central theme of "Poetry Dew" is the power of poetry to evoke emotions and create vivid images in the mind of the reader. The poem begins with the lines, "If I should pass the tomb of him / Who, though his soul has fled this mortal clay, / Loved beauty ardently, and poured his whim / In sonnets on the passing of a day." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a tribute to the power of poetry to capture the beauty of life and the emotions that come with it.

The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. The lines "If I should pass the tomb of him / Who, though his soul has fled this mortal clay" remind us that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of it while we can. The poem suggests that poetry is a way to capture the beauty of life and preserve it for future generations.

Structure

"Poetry Dew" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme and structure. The poem is divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a sestet (six-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The sestet has a different rhyme scheme, with the first, third, and fourth lines rhyming, and the second, fifth, and sixth lines rhyming.

The structure of the poem reflects its theme. The sonnet form is traditionally used for love poems, but in "Poetry Dew," the speaker is expressing her love for poetry. The two quatrains set the scene and introduce the speaker's thoughts, while the sestet provides a conclusion and a call to action.

Literary Devices

"Poetry Dew" is rich in literary devices that enhance its emotional impact and imagery. One of the most prominent devices is personification, which is the attribution of human qualities to non-human things. The poem personifies poetry as a living entity that can "breathe" and "sing." The lines "And if I hear a strain of music sweet, / Or see a sunset glory in the west, / I know 'tis but the poetry-dew that falls / From the high heaven of beauty on us all" suggest that poetry is a force of nature that can inspire and uplift us.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery, which is the use of vivid descriptions to create mental pictures in the reader's mind. The poem is full of sensory imagery that evokes the beauty of nature and the emotions that come with it. The lines "I see the purple hills of morning rise, / The iris blowing by the river's brink, / The lark's clear note, the curlew's haunting cries, / And swifts that dip and wheel and flash and sink" create a vivid picture of a peaceful, natural landscape.

The poem also uses metaphor, which is a comparison between two things that are not literally alike. The lines "And if I hear a strain of music sweet, / Or see a sunset glory in the west" compare poetry to music and a sunset, suggesting that it has the power to evoke emotions and create beauty.

Conclusion

"Poetry Dew" is a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry itself. Through its themes, structure, and literary devices, the poem expresses the power of poetry to evoke emotions and create vivid images in the mind of the reader. It reminds us that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of it while we can. The poem suggests that poetry is a way to capture the beauty of life and preserve it for future generations. Sarah Teasdale's "Poetry Dew" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to inspire and uplift us.

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