'June Dreams, In January' by Sidney Lanier
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"So pulse, and pulse, thou rhythmic-hearted Noon
That liest, large-limbed, curved along the hills,
In languid palpitation, half a-swoon
With ardors and sun-loves and subtle thrills;
"Throb, Beautiful! while the fervent hours exhale
As kisses faint-blown from thy finger-tips
Up to the sun, that turn him passion-pale
And then as red as any virgin's lips.
"O tender Darkness, when June-day hath ceased,
-- Faint Odor from the day-flower's crushing born,
-- Dim, visible Sigh out of the mournful East
That cannot see her lord again till morn:
"And many leaves, broad-palmed towards the sky
To catch the sacred raining of star-light:
And pallid petals, fain, all fain to die,
Soul-stung by too keen passion of the night:
"And short-breath'd winds, under yon gracious moon
Doing mild errands for mild violets,
Or carrying sighs from the red lips of June
What aimless way the odor-current sets:
"And stars, ringed glittering in whorls and bells,
Or bent along the sky in looped star-sprays,
Or vine-wound, with bright grapes in panicles,
Or bramble-tangled in a sweetest maze,
"Or lying like young lilies in a lake
About the great white Lotus of the moon,
Or blown and drifted, as if winds should shake
Star blossoms down from silver stems too soon,
"Or budding thick about full open stars,
Or clambering shyly up cloud-lattices,
Or trampled pale in the red path of Mars,
Or trim-set in quaint gardener's fantasies:
"And long June night-sounds crooned among the leaves,
And whispered confidence of dark and green,
And murmurs in old moss about old eaves,
And tinklings floating over water-sheen!"
Then he that wrote laid down his pen and sighed;
And straightway came old Scorn and Bitterness,
Like Hunnish kings out of the barbarous land,
And camped upon the transient Italy
That he had dreamed to blossom in his soul.
"I'll date this dream," he said; "so:`Given, these,
On this, the coldest night in all the year,
From this, the meanest garret in the world,
In this, the greatest city in the land,
To you, the richest folk this side of death,
By one, the hungriest poet under heaven,
-- Writ while his candle sputtered in the gust,
And while his last, last ember died of cold,
And while the mortal ice i' the air made free
Of all his bones and bit and shrunk his heart,
And while soft Luxury made show to strike
Her gloved hands together and to smile
What time her weary feet unconsciously
Trode wheels that lifted Avarice to power,
-- And while, moreover, -- O thou God, thou God --
His worshipful sweet wife sat still, afar,
Within the village whence she sent him forth
Into the town to make his name and fame,
Waiting, all confident and proud and calm,
Till he should make for her his name and fame,
Waiting -- O Christ, how keen this cuts! -- large-eyed,
With Baby Charley till her husband make
For her and him a poet's name and fame.'
-- Read me," he cried, and rose, and stamped his foot
Impatiently at Heaven, "read me this,"
(Putting th' inquiry full in the face of God)
"Why can we poets dream us beauty, so,
But cannot dream us bread?Why, now, can I
Make, aye, create this fervid throbbing June
Out of the chill, chill matter of my soul,
Yet cannot make a poorest penny-loaf
Out of this same chill matter, no, not one
For Mary though she starved upon my breast?"
And then he fell upon his couch, and sobbed,
And, late, just when his heart leaned o'er
The very edge of breaking, fain to fall,
God sent him sleep.
There came his room-fellow,
Stout Dick, the painter, saw the written dream,
Read, scratched his curly pate, smiled, winked, fell on
The poem in big-hearted comic rage,
Quick folded, thrust in envelope, addressed
To him, the critic-god, that sitteth grim
And giant-grisly on the stone causeway
That leadeth to his magazine and fame.
Him, by due mail, the little Dream of June
Encountered growling, and at unawares
Stole in upon his poem-battered soul
So that he smiled, -- then shook his head upon 't
-- Then growled, then smiled again, till at the last,
As one that deadly sinned against his will,
He writ upon the margin of the Dream
A wondrous, wondrous word that in a day
Did turn the fleeting song to very bread,
-- Whereat Dick Painter leapt, the poet wept,
And Mary slept with happy drops a-gleam
Upon long lashes of her serene eyes
From twentieth reading of her poet's news
Quick-sent, "O sweet my Sweet, to dream is power,
And I can dream thee bread and dream thee wine,
And I will dream thee robes and gems, dear Love,
To clothe thy holy loveliness withal,
And I will dream thee here to live by me,
Thee and my little man thou hold'st at breast,
-- Come, Name, come, Fame, and kiss my Sweetheart's feet!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
June Dreams, In January by Sidney Lanier: A Literary Analysis
Are you ready to dive into the world of Sidney Lanier's poetry? If you are, then let's delve into his classic piece, June Dreams, In January. This poem is a beautiful representation of Lanier's appreciation for nature, and his ability to use vivid imagery to express his thoughts and emotions. In this literary analysis, we'll explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices that make this poem a timeless masterpiece.
Background Information
First, let's talk a bit about the author. Sidney Lanier was an American musician, poet, and author, born in 1842. He was a talented musician, who played the flute and composed music, as well as a gifted writer, who wrote poetry and prose. Due to his health issues, he had to leave his musical career and focus on writing, which eventually led him to become a professor of English literature. Lanier's works are known for their musicality, as well as their exploration of nature, spirituality, and human emotions.
Themes
One of the main themes that Lanier explores in June Dreams, In January is the beauty of nature. Throughout the poem, he uses vivid descriptions of the natural world to convey his admiration for its splendor. For instance, in the first stanza, he writes:
The earth is green with the showers, And the bees are booming along; And the homely, good-natured cows They moo with a mighty song.
Here, Lanier is painting a picture of springtime, with the greenery and the buzzing bees. He also personifies the cows, giving them a voice and making them a part of the natural symphony. This theme of nature's beauty is further emphasized in the second stanza, where Lanier describes the sunset:
The sun has gone down in the west, And the moon's in the top of the sky; And the whispering winds are at rest, And the clouds are slowly passing by.
Again, Lanier uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the scenery, with the sun setting and the moon rising. He also personifies the wind and the clouds, adding a touch of fantasy to the natural world.
Another theme that Lanier explores in this poem is the passage of time. Throughout the poem, he contrasts the beauty of springtime with the cold, barren winter. In the first stanza, he writes:
But the winter is still in my heart, And the flowers are up in my brain; And my spirit is full of the smart Of sorrow that still must remain.
Here, Lanier is expressing his feelings of sadness and longing, even though the world around him is full of life. He compares his internal state to the winter, which is in stark contrast to the springtime imagery that he describes earlier. This theme of time and its effects on human emotions is further emphasized in the second stanza, where he writes:
And oh! but the world is so fair, And oh! but my heart is so cold; And the glory of earth is a snare, And the beauty of life is a mold.
Here, Lanier is expressing his conflict between the external beauty of the world and his internal feelings of coldness and detachment. He suggests that the beauty of life can sometimes be a trap, a mold that shapes our perceptions and emotions.
Symbols
In addition to the themes, June Dreams, In January contains several symbols that add depth and meaning to the poem. One of the most prominent symbols is the contrast between spring and winter. Lanier uses the springtime imagery to represent hope, growth, and vitality, while the winter imagery represents sadness, stagnation, and death. By juxtaposing these two seasons, he creates a powerful contrast that underscores the themes of the poem.
Another symbol that Lanier uses is the moon. In the second stanza, he mentions the moon rising in the sky, which can be interpreted as a symbol of hope and renewal. The moon is often associated with femininity and intuition, which adds a layer of depth to the poem. It also serves as a counterpoint to the sun, which is mentioned in the same stanza. While the sun represents warmth and light, the moon represents coolness and mystery, creating a harmonious balance of opposites.
Literary Devices
Finally, let's talk about the literary devices that Lanier uses in June Dreams, In January. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. Throughout the poem, Lanier uses vivid descriptions of the natural world to create a sensory-rich experience for the reader. He also uses personification to give voice and agency to the animals and elements of nature, which creates a sense of harmony and unity.
Another literary device that Lanier uses is repetition. In the first stanza, he repeats the phrase "And the" several times, which creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. He also repeats the word "oh" in the second stanza, which emphasizes the speaker's emotional intensity and adds a sense of urgency to the poem.
Finally, Lanier uses metaphor to convey his ideas and emotions. For instance, in the second stanza, he compares the "glory of earth" to a "snare" and the "beauty of life" to a "mold". These metaphors create a sense of tension and conflict, as they suggest that the external world can be both alluring and dangerous.
Conclusion
In conclusion, June Dreams, In January is a beautiful poem that explores themes of nature, time, and emotion. Lanier's use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and literary devices creates a rich, sensory experience for the reader, while his exploration of human emotions adds depth and complexity to the poem. If you're a fan of poetry that combines musicality, spirituality, and nature, then this classic piece by Sidney Lanier is definitely worth checking out.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry June Dreams, In January: A Masterpiece by Sidney Lanier
Poetry is an art form that has the power to transport us to different worlds, evoke emotions, and inspire us to think deeply about life. Sidney Lanier's "June Dreams, In January" is a perfect example of how poetry can capture the beauty of nature and the human experience. In this article, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this masterpiece.
The poem begins with the line, "Last night I dreamed of June," immediately setting the tone for a dreamy, nostalgic journey. The speaker is transported to a time when the world was alive with the colors and scents of summer. The use of the word "dreamed" suggests that this memory is not a recent one, but rather a distant one that the speaker has held onto.
The first stanza describes the beauty of June, with its "roses red and white" and "violets blue." The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a world bursting with life and color. The use of alliteration in "roses red and white" adds to the musicality of the poem, making it a pleasure to read aloud.
The second stanza takes a darker turn, with the speaker acknowledging that this dream of June is taking place in January, a time when "the world is cold and still." The contrast between the warmth and vibrancy of June and the cold, stillness of January is stark, and the speaker seems to be longing for the former.
The third stanza introduces the theme of time and the fleeting nature of life. The speaker reflects on how quickly time passes, and how the beauty of June is gone in an instant. The line "June's beauty is but brief" is a reminder that we must cherish the moments of beauty in our lives, as they are fleeting.
The fourth stanza brings the theme of mortality to the forefront. The speaker reflects on how even the roses and violets of June will eventually wither and die. The use of the word "dust" to describe the fate of these flowers is a powerful reminder of our own mortality. The line "And all the world is dust" suggests that everything we know and love will eventually fade away.
The fifth stanza is a reflection on the power of memory. The speaker acknowledges that even though June is gone, the memory of it remains. The use of the word "haunt" suggests that this memory is not a happy one, but rather a bittersweet one that the speaker cannot let go of.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker acknowledging that even though June is gone, it will return again. The line "June dreams will come again" suggests that the speaker is holding onto hope, and that even though life is fleeting, there is always the possibility of beauty and joy.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the use of imagery. Lanier's descriptions of the roses, violets, and other elements of nature are so vivid that they transport the reader to a different time and place. The use of alliteration and other poetic devices adds to the musicality of the poem, making it a pleasure to read aloud.
Another important aspect of this poem is the themes it explores. The fleeting nature of life, the power of memory, and the inevitability of mortality are all themes that are explored in a powerful and evocative way. The poem is a reminder to cherish the moments of beauty in our lives, and to hold onto hope even in the face of darkness.
In conclusion, Sidney Lanier's "June Dreams, In January" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the beauty of nature and the human experience. Through vivid imagery and powerful themes, Lanier transports the reader to a different time and place, evoking emotions and inspiring deep reflection. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of life and to move us in profound ways.
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