'To Sara' by Joseph Rodman Drake


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I.

ONE happy year has fled, Sall,
Since you were all my own,
The leaves have felt the autumn blight,
The wintry storm has blown.
We heeded not the cold blast,
Nor the winter's icy air;
For we found our climate in the heart,
And it was summer there.

II.

The summer's sun is bright, Sall,
The skies are pure in hue;
But clouds will sometimes sadden them,
And dim their lovely blue;
And clouds may come to us, Sall,
But sure they will not stay;
For there's a spell in fond hearts
To chase their gloom away.

III.

In sickness and in sorrow
Thine eyes were on me still,
And there was comfort in each glance
To charm the sense of ill.
And were they absent now, Sall,
I'd seek my bed of pain,
And bless each pang that gave me back
Those looks of love again.

IV.

Oh, pleasant is the welcome kiss,
When day's dull round is o'er,
And sweet the music of the step
That meets me at the door.
Though worldly cares may visit us,
I reck not when they fall,
While I have thy kind lips, my Sall,
To smile away them all.


Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deeper Look into "To Sara" by Joseph Rodman Drake

As a lover of poetry, I am constantly in search of pieces that are not only beautifully written but also have a deeper meaning that can be uncovered with a little bit of analysis. When I first came across "To Sara" by Joseph Rodman Drake, I was immediately drawn in by its lyrical quality and the tender emotions it conveyed. However, after spending some time delving into the poem's themes and symbols, I discovered that there was much more to "To Sara" than just its surface beauty.

Background Information on Joseph Rodman Drake

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's first take a moment to talk about its author, Joseph Rodman Drake. Drake was born in New York in 1795 and was a part of the Knickerbocker Group, a literary and cultural movement that sought to establish a distinct American voice in literature. Drake was particularly known for his romantic poetry, which often dealt with themes of love, nature, and death. He died at the young age of 25 from tuberculosis, leaving behind a small but influential body of work.

The Poem's Structure and Tone

"To Sara" is a sonnet, meaning it consists of 14 lines that follow a strict rhyme scheme and structure. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means each line has 10 syllables with a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which gives it a sense of symmetry and balance.

The tone of the poem is one of longing and nostalgia. The speaker is addressing a woman named Sara, who we can assume is a former lover. The poem is filled with imagery of the natural world, such as "the sunset's softest hues" and "the dewy morning's earliest light," which creates a sense of wistfulness and melancholy.

The Poem's Themes

One of the main themes of "To Sara" is the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker reminisces about past moments with Sara, such as "our early loves, so warm and true," and laments the fact that those moments are now gone forever. The image of the "dewy morning's earliest light" also suggests that the speaker is reflecting on the fleeting nature of life itself.

Another theme of the poem is the power of memory and nostalgia. The speaker is clearly still deeply affected by his memories of Sara, even though they are no longer together. The line "But memory fondly brings the past once more" suggests that the speaker finds solace in remembering their time together, even if it is painful.

Finally, "To Sara" is a poem about love and loss. The speaker is clearly still in love with Sara, despite their separation. The line "And though we part in sorrow, yet, dear girl, / I would that I might live my life again" suggests that the speaker regrets not being able to be with Sara and wishes he could have a second chance.

The Poem's Symbols

One symbol that appears throughout "To Sara" is the natural world. The poem is filled with imagery of sunsets, mornings, and flowers, which creates a sense of beauty and tranquility. However, this imagery is also tinged with sadness and melancholy, suggesting that the natural world represents the fleeting nature of life and love.

Another symbol in the poem is the image of the heart. The speaker refers to his heart several times throughout the poem, such as "my heart still whispers thee," which suggests that his feelings for Sara are deeply ingrained in his being. The heart is also a symbol of love and emotion, which is fitting given the theme of the poem.

Final Thoughts

"To Sara" by Joseph Rodman Drake is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the passing of time. While it may appear at first glance to be a simple love poem, a closer reading reveals a deeper, more complex meaning. By using symbols such as the natural world and the heart, Drake creates a poem that is both timeless and deeply personal. As a lover of poetry, I am grateful for the opportunity to explore such a rich and rewarding piece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Sara: A Masterpiece of Romanticism

Joseph Rodman Drake, an American poet, was born in New York City in 1795. He was a contemporary of Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper, and was known for his romantic poetry. One of his most famous works is "The Culprit Fay," a fairy tale poem. However, his poem "To Sara" is a masterpiece of romanticism that deserves more attention.

"To Sara" is a love poem that Drake wrote to his wife, Sarah Eckford Drake. The poem is a beautiful expression of love and devotion, and it captures the essence of romanticism. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique theme.

The first stanza of the poem is an expression of the poet's love for his wife. He describes her as "the fairest of the fair," and he compares her to the stars in the sky. He also says that she is his "life's bright star," and that he would be lost without her. The language in this stanza is very romantic and passionate, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of love. The poet says that love is like a "mysterious flame," and that it cannot be explained or understood. He also says that love is like a "fountain," and that it is always flowing. The language in this stanza is very poetic and metaphorical, and it adds to the romantic atmosphere of the poem.

The third and final stanza of the poem is a declaration of the poet's eternal love for his wife. He says that his love for her will never die, and that it will last forever. He also says that he will always be faithful to her, and that he will never leave her. The language in this stanza is very powerful and emotional, and it brings the poem to a beautiful conclusion.

Overall, "To Sara" is a masterpiece of romanticism. It is a beautiful expression of love and devotion, and it captures the essence of the romantic era. The language in the poem is very poetic and metaphorical, and it adds to the romantic atmosphere of the poem. The poem is also very personal, as it was written by the poet to his wife. This adds to the emotional impact of the poem, and it makes it even more powerful.

In conclusion, "To Sara" is a beautiful poem that deserves more attention. It is a masterpiece of romanticism, and it captures the essence of love and devotion. The language in the poem is very poetic and metaphorical, and it adds to the romantic atmosphere of the poem. The poem is also very personal, as it was written by the poet to his wife. This adds to the emotional impact of the poem, and it makes it even more powerful. If you are a fan of romantic poetry, then "To Sara" is a must-read.

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