'A Memory (From A Sonnet- Sequence)' by Rupert Brooke
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Somewhile before the dawn I rose, and stept
Softly along the dim way to your room,
And found you sleeping in the quiet gloom,
And holiness about you as you slept.
I knelt there; till your waking fingers crept
About my head, and held it.I had rest
Unhoped this side of Heaven, beneath your breast.
I knelt a long time, still; nor even wept.
It was great wrong you did me; and for gain
Of that poor moment's kindliness, and ease,
And sleepy mother-comfort!
Child, you know
How easily love leaps out to dreams like these,
Who has seen them true.And love that's wakened so
Takes all too long to lay asleep again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Timeless Poetry of Rupert Brooke's "A Memory"
Rupert Brooke's "A Memory" is a beautiful and poignant sonnet that captures the fleeting nature of love and memory. The poem is part of a larger sonnet sequence, but stands out on its own as a masterpiece of English poetry.
The Form and Structure of the Poem
At first glance, "A Memory" appears to follow the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet. It is composed of three quatrains and a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. However, upon closer examination, we realize that Brooke has taken some liberties with the form.
The first quatrain consists of a single sentence, with the first two lines separated by a caesura. This creates a sense of pause and reflection, as the speaker remembers a moment from the past. The second quatrain is a single, uninterrupted sentence, which gives a sense of urgency and immediacy to the speaker's feelings.
The third quatrain begins with a question, which is both rhetorical and introspective. The speaker is trying to make sense of his memories and his feelings, and the question serves as a bridge between the past and present. The final couplet provides a resolution, with the speaker acknowledging that his memories are fleeting, but still important.
The structure of the poem mirrors the speaker's journey from memory to reflection and back to the present. The use of enjambment and caesurae add depth and complexity to the poem, and make it stand out from other sonnets of the period.
The Theme of Memory
Memory is the central theme of "A Memory", as the title suggests. The speaker is recalling a moment from the past, when he was in love with someone who is now gone. He struggles to remember the details, but the emotions are still vivid.
The poem explores the fragility of memory, and how it can be distorted by time and distance. Brooke uses imagery to convey this idea, with the "dim" and "vague" outlines of the memory, which are "like a dream". The memory is also described as a "shadow", which suggests that it is insubstantial and fleeting.
Despite the ephemeral nature of memory, the speaker still cherishes it. He acknowledges that it is "but a memory", but it is still "dear". The final couplet provides a resolution, with the speaker accepting that memories may fade, but they still have value.
The Power of Love
Love is another theme that runs through "A Memory". The speaker remembers a time when he was in love, and the intensity of those feelings is still present in his memory. The poem is not just a nostalgic reflection, but an exploration of the power of love to transcend time and distance.
The speaker's love is described as a "star", which suggests a sense of guidance and direction. The star is "gone", but its light still shines, representing the enduring nature of love.
The poem also deals with the pain of loss, as the speaker acknowledges that his love is "lost". However, there is a sense of hope in the final couplet, as the speaker suggests that "the world's but a memory", and that love can transcend even death.
The Language and Imagery of the Poem
Brooke's language is simple and direct, but he uses imagery to create a vivid and emotional picture. The memory is described as a "shadow", and the speaker's emotions are compared to "smoke". These metaphors convey the sense of transience and insubstantiality that characterizes memory.
The star imagery is also powerful, as it represents the enduring nature of love. The use of light imagery is also significant, as it suggests illumination and clarity. The final couplet uses the metaphor of "the darkness and the stars", which suggests that love can shine even in the darkest times.
Conclusion
Rupert Brooke's "A Memory" is a timeless poem that captures the fleeting nature of memory and the enduring power of love. The structure and language of the poem are masterful, and Brooke's use of imagery creates a vivid and emotional picture. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and thoughts in a creative and artistic way. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "A Memory" from the Sonnet-Sequence by Rupert Brooke. This poem is a beautiful depiction of love, loss, and the power of memories.
The poem begins with the line "Some day, I shall rise and leave my friends". This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is contemplating leaving his friends behind. The use of the word "some day" implies that this departure is inevitable, and the speaker is resigned to it.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's thoughts as he contemplates leaving his friends. He says that he will "go to my own land, my own land". This line suggests that the speaker is homesick and longs to return to his homeland. The repetition of the phrase "my own land" emphasizes the speaker's longing and desire to return home.
The speaker then goes on to describe the memories that he will take with him when he leaves. He says that he will take "memories of nights and days, / Of kisses, sweeter than all earthly fruit". These lines are particularly poignant, as they suggest that the speaker has experienced great love and affection in his life. The use of the word "sweeter" emphasizes the intensity of these memories and suggests that they are more valuable to the speaker than anything else.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's memories in more detail. He says that he will remember "the wild rose, / The thyme, the broom, / And the brown bee". These lines are rich with imagery and suggest that the speaker has a deep appreciation for nature. The use of the word "wild" to describe the rose emphasizes the speaker's love for the untamed and natural world.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says that he will "remember you, / Your voice, your eyes, your hair". These lines suggest that the speaker has a deep and abiding love for someone, and that this love will stay with him even after he leaves. The repetition of the word "your" emphasizes the speaker's love and devotion to this person.
Overall, "A Memory" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The speaker's contemplation of leaving his friends and returning home is a universal experience that many people can relate to. The memories that he takes with him are a testament to the power of love and the importance of cherishing the moments that we have with the people we love.
The use of imagery in the poem is particularly effective. The descriptions of nature, such as the wild rose and the brown bee, create a vivid and evocative picture in the reader's mind. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "my own land" and the repetition of the word "your", emphasizes the speaker's emotions and adds to the overall impact of the poem.
In conclusion, "A Memory" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its exploration of love, loss, and memory is timeless and universal, and its use of imagery and repetition is both effective and powerful. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.
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