'Said the West Wind' by Isabella Valancy Crawford


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1I love old earth! Why should I lift my wings,
2My misty wings, so high above her breast
3That flowers would shake no perfumes from their hearts,
4And waters breathe no whispers to the shores?
5I love deep places builded high with woods,
6Deep, dusk, fern-closed, and starred with nodding blooms,
7Close watched by hills, green, garlanded and tall.

8On hazy wings, all shot with mellow gold,
9I float, I float thro' shadows clear as glass;
10With perfumed feet I wander o'er the seas,
11And touch white sails with gentle finger-tips;
12I blow the faithless butterfly against
13The rose-red thorn, and thus avenge the rose;
14I whisper low amid the solemn boughs,
15And stir a leaf where not my loudest sigh
16Could move the emerald branches from their calm,--
17Leaves, leaves, I love ye much, for ye and I
18Do make sweet music over all the earth!

19I dream by glassy ponds, and, lingering, kiss
20The gold crowns of their lilies one by one,
21As mothers kiss their babes who be asleep
22On the clear gilding of their infant heads,
23Lest if they kissed the dimple on the chin,
24The rose flecks on the cheek or dewy lips,
25The calm of sleep might feel the touch of love,
26And so be lost. I steal before the rain,
27The longed-for guest of summer; as his fringe
28Of mist drifts slowly from the mountain peaks,
29The flowers dance to my fairy pipe and fling
30Rich odours on my wings, and voices cry,
31"The dear West Wind is damp, and rich with scent;
32We shall have fruits and yellow sheaves for this."

33At night I play amidst the silver mists,
34And chase them on soft feet until they climb
35And dance their gilded plumes against the stars;
36At dawn the last round primrose star I hide
37By wafting o'er her some small fleck of cloud,
38And ere it passes comes the broad, bold Sun
39And blots her from the azure of the sky,
40As later, toward his noon, he blots a drop
41Of pollen-gilded dew from violet cup
42Set bluely in the mosses of the wood.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Said the West Wind: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Isabella Valancy Crawford's "Poetry, Said the West Wind" is a magnificent poem that captures the essence of the beauty and power of poetry. The poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphors that transport the reader to another world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and overall meaning of this classic piece of poetry.

Background

Isabella Valancy Crawford was a Canadian poet who lived in the late 19th century. She was born in Dublin, Ireland, and moved to Canada with her family in 1858. Crawford was one of the first Canadian women to make a living as a writer, and her work was widely praised for its originality and beauty.

Crawford's poetry often focused on nature and the power of the natural world. She was deeply inspired by the Canadian landscape and the wild beauty of the country. "Poetry, Said the West Wind" is one of her most famous poems and exemplifies her love of nature and her ability to capture its essence in words.

Themes

The main theme of "Poetry, Said the West Wind" is the power of poetry to capture the beauty and power of nature. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and the ability of poetry to bring it to life. The wind personified as West Wind and poetry is witnessed to have a powerful relationship.

The poem also explores the idea that poetry can transport us to another world, a world of imagination and wonder. The poem states that the West Wind can "float us away to the land of dream" and that poetry can "lift us aloft on its wings."

Another theme of the poem is the idea of transformation. The West Wind is described as a transformer, constantly changing the landscape and the world around it. The poem suggests that poetry has the same transformative power, that it can change the way we see the world and ourselves.

Literary Devices

Crawford's use of literary devices adds to the beauty and power of the poem. One of the most striking devices she employs is personification. The West Wind is personified as a living being, with the ability to speak and act. This personification gives the poem a sense of life and energy, and adds to the idea that nature is alive and powerful.

Another literary device used by Crawford is imagery. The poem is full of vivid and powerful images that bring the natural world to life. For example, the West Wind is described as "the soul of the world" and the "voice of the world's desire." These images create a sense of wonder and magic, and help to transport the reader to another world.

Crawford also uses metaphor to great effect in the poem. For example, when she describes the West Wind as a "purple sail," she is using a metaphor to create a sense of beauty and majesty. This metaphor helps to convey the power and beauty of the wind, and also adds to the overall sense of poetry and wonder that permeates the poem.

Interpretation

"Poetry, Said the West Wind" is a poem about the power and beauty of nature, and the ability of poetry to capture that beauty and power. The poem suggests that poetry has the ability to transport us to another world, a world of imagination and wonder. The West Wind is personified as a living being who speaks and acts, and who has the power to transform the world around it.

The poem also suggests that poetry has the power to transform us, to change the way we see the world and ourselves. Crawford suggests that poetry can "lift us aloft on its wings" and that it can "float us away to the land of dream." This transformational power of poetry is one of the most striking themes of the poem.

In addition to its celebration of poetry, the poem is also a celebration of nature. Crawford's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of wonder and magic that brings the natural world to life. The West Wind is described as the "voice of the world's desire" and the "soul of the world," suggesting that nature is alive and powerful.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Said the West Wind" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the beauty and power of nature and the transformative power of poetry. Crawford's use of literary devices such as personification, imagery, and metaphor creates a sense of wonder and magic that transports the reader to another world. The poem's themes of transformation and the power of poetry to change the way we see the world and ourselves make it a timeless work of art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Said the West Wind: An Ode to the Power of Words

Isabella Valancy Crawford's "Poetry Said the West Wind" is a beautiful ode to the power of words. The poem, written in 1873, is a celebration of the beauty and majesty of poetry, and the way in which it can transform the world around us. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of the poem, and examine the ways in which Crawford uses language to convey her message.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the West Wind, asking it to "sing me a song of a lad that is gone." The wind responds, telling the speaker that it cannot sing of the past, but that it can sing of the present and the future. This exchange sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of words to shape our understanding of the world.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that poetry has the power to transform the world around us. Crawford writes that "Poetry has a magic wand, / A sceptre and a crown," suggesting that poetry has the power to create and shape reality. This idea is reinforced throughout the poem, as the speaker describes the way in which poetry can bring beauty and joy to even the most mundane aspects of life.

For example, the speaker describes how "Poetry can make the common air / Delicious to the taste." This line suggests that poetry has the power to transform even the most basic elements of our existence into something beautiful and meaningful. Similarly, the speaker describes how "Poetry can make the dullest day / Rich with the glow of spring." This line suggests that poetry has the power to bring joy and vitality to even the most dreary and mundane moments of our lives.

Another key theme of the poem is the idea that poetry has the power to connect us to the natural world. Crawford writes that "Poetry can make the mountains sing, / And the rivers dance with glee." This line suggests that poetry has the power to bring us closer to the natural world, and to help us appreciate the beauty and majesty of the world around us.

This theme is reinforced throughout the poem, as the speaker describes the way in which poetry can help us to see the world in a new and more meaningful way. For example, the speaker describes how "Poetry can make the stars shine bright, / And the moonbeams dance and play." This line suggests that poetry has the power to help us appreciate the beauty and wonder of the night sky, and to see the world in a more magical and enchanting way.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Crawford uses language to convey her message. The poem is filled with vivid and evocative imagery, which helps to bring the world of the poem to life. For example, the speaker describes how "Poetry can make the desert bloom, / And the waste places sing." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that poetry has the power to bring life and vitality to even the most barren and desolate places.

Similarly, the speaker describes how "Poetry can make the heart rejoice, / And the soul take flight." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that poetry has the power to lift us up and help us transcend the limitations of our everyday lives. The use of the word "flight" is particularly evocative, as it suggests that poetry has the power to help us soar above the mundane and connect with something greater than ourselves.

Overall, "Poetry Said the West Wind" is a beautiful and powerful ode to the power of words. Crawford's use of language is particularly striking, as she uses vivid and evocative imagery to bring the world of the poem to life. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and majesty of poetry, and the way in which it can transform the world around us. Whether we are in the midst of a dreary day or standing in the midst of a barren desert, poetry has the power to bring us joy, beauty, and meaning.

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