'The Ghost' by Sara Teasdale


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I went back to the clanging city,
I went back where my old loves stayed,
But my heart was full of my new love's glory,
My eyes were laughing and unafraid.

I met one who had loved me madly
And told his love for all to hear --
But we talked of a thousand things together,
The past was buried too deep to fear.

I met the other, whose love was given
With never a kiss and scarcely a word --
Oh, it was then the terror took me
Of words unuttered that breathed and stirred.

Oh, love that lives its life with laughter
Or love that lives its life with tears
Can die -- but love that is never spoken
Goes like a ghost through the winding years. . . .

I went back to the clanging city,
I went back where my old loves stayed,
My heart was full of my new love's glory, --
But my eyes were suddenly afraid.


Submitted by Venus

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ghost: A Haunting Masterpiece by Sara Teasdale

Have you ever felt afraid of the unknown? Have you ever experienced the eerie feeling of being watched, but no one is there? Have you ever encountered a ghost? Sara Teasdale's poem, "The Ghost," captures the essence of supernatural terror and explores the theme of death and the afterlife. With its haunting imagery and vivid metaphors, "The Ghost" is a classic masterpiece that continues to bewitch readers today.

A Summary of The Ghost

The poem begins with a vivid description of the ghostly apparition, "I saw a ghost last night / In the moon's ghostly light / The ghost was alone in the silence / And he was white." The ghost is depicted as a solitary figure, setting the tone for a lonely and melancholic journey. The poem highlights the ghost's physical presence and creates a vivid picture of its surroundings, "He stood by an old oak tree, / And he looked at me, / Though I could not see his eyes."

The second stanza takes us deeper into the ghost's world by describing its movements and actions, "He walked in the windless night, / His footsteps were strangely light, / And he disappeared from my sight / In the moon's ghostly light." Here, we get a sense of the ghost's ethereal existence and its ability to move through space and time.

The third stanza delves into the emotional state of the narrator, who becomes the focus of the ghost's attention, "He followed me through the night, / His steps were soft and light, / And he vanished in the morning light / When I turned to see the sight." The ghost's presence creates a sense of unease and fear in the narrator, who is unable to comprehend the ghost's intentions.

The final stanza concludes the poem with a sense of closure, "I shall never forget that ghost, / In the moon's ghostly light he was lost, / But I know that he will come back, / For he is never truly lost." Here, the poem suggests that death is not the end, but rather a transition into another realm, where the ghost continues to exist.

An Analysis of The Ghost

"The Ghost" is a poem that conjures up a range of emotions in the reader, from fear and anxiety to curiosity and intrigue. The poem's success lies in its ability to create a vivid and haunting image of the ghost, without resorting to cheap thrills or jump scares. Instead, Teasdale uses language and metaphor to create an eerie and unsettling atmosphere that stays with the reader long after the poem has ended.

The poem's theme of death and the afterlife is a recurring motif in Teasdale's work, and "The Ghost" is no exception. The ghost represents the spiritual essence of a departed soul, and its presence is a reminder that death is not the end. The ghost's physical appearance and movements convey a sense of otherworldliness, suggesting that there is more to existence than what we can see in the physical world.

The poem's use of imagery is another standout feature. Teasdale's descriptions of the ghost, the moon, and the night are vivid and evocative, creating a sense of atmosphere that draws the reader into the world of the poem. The ghost's white color is a symbol of purity and innocence, but it also represents the unknown and the mysterious. The moon's ghostly light adds to the eerie atmosphere and creates a sense of unease in the reader.

The poem's structure is also noteworthy. Teasdale uses a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which creates a sense of rhythm and repetition, giving the poem a sense of continuity and flow. The short stanzas add to the poem's sense of urgency and help to build tension as the ghost's movements become increasingly ominous.

The Legacy of The Ghost

"The Ghost" has become a classic poem that continues to captivate and fascinate readers today. Its themes of death and the afterlife, as well as its haunting imagery, have made it a favorite among fans of supernatural and horror literature. The poem's simplicity and brevity make it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds, while its depth and complexity offer a rich and rewarding reading experience.

In conclusion, Sara Teasdale's "The Ghost" is a haunting masterpiece that explores the themes of death and the afterlife in a way that is both evocative and thought-provoking. The poem's use of imagery and metaphor, as well as its simple structure, make it a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and fascinate readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ghost: A Haunting Poem by Sara Teasdale

Sara Teasdale's poem, The Ghost, is a haunting and evocative piece of literature that explores the themes of love, loss, and the supernatural. The poem is written in a simple yet powerful style that captures the imagination of the reader and transports them to a world of mystery and intrigue.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a ghostly figure that appears to her in the night. The ghost is described as being "pale and beautiful" with "hair like a silver mist." The speaker is immediately drawn to the ghost, and she feels a sense of longing and desire for this otherworldly being.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reveals that the ghost is actually the spirit of her lost love. She describes how she feels his presence all around her, even though he is no longer alive. She longs to be with him again, to feel his touch and to hear his voice.

The poem is filled with vivid imagery and sensory details that bring the ghost to life. The speaker describes how the ghost's eyes "shine like stars," and how his touch is "cold as snow." She also describes how the ghost's voice is like "music in the night," and how it fills her with a sense of peace and comfort.

One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is the way in which it explores the theme of loss. The speaker is clearly grieving for her lost love, and she is haunted by his memory. She longs to be reunited with him, but she knows that this is impossible. The ghost is a symbol of her longing and her grief, and it serves as a reminder of the love that she has lost.

The poem also explores the theme of the supernatural. The ghost is a mysterious and otherworldly figure, and his presence is both comforting and unsettling. The speaker is drawn to the ghost, but she is also afraid of him. She describes how his touch is cold and how his eyes are "strange and wild." The ghost is a symbol of the unknown and the mysterious, and he represents the power of the supernatural world.

Overall, The Ghost is a haunting and evocative poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the supernatural. Sara Teasdale's simple yet powerful style captures the imagination of the reader and transports them to a world of mystery and intrigue. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotion and to explore the deepest aspects of the human experience.

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