"To My Mother" by Voltairine de Cleyre is a reflective and introspective poem that explores the nature of different souls and the varied ways they experience life. Through the metaphor of cloud-shrouded hearts and flower-cupped souls, the poem contemplates the contrast between internal richness and external expression. The poem conveys a sense of longing for openness and connection, while acknowledging the complexities of individual experiences.
To My Mother
Some souls there are which never live their life;
Some suns there are which never pierce their cloud;
Some hearts there are which cup their perfume in,
And yield no incense to the outer air.
Cloud-shrouded, flower-cupped heart: such is thine own:
So dost thou live with all thy brightness hid;
So dost thou dwell with all thy perfume close;
Rich in thy treasured wealth, aye, rich indeed—
And they are wrong who say thou "dost not feel."
But I—I need blue air and opened bloom;
To keep my music means that it must die;
And when the thrill, the joy, the love of life is gone,
I, too, am dead—a corpse, though not entombed.
Let me live then—but a while—the gloom soon comes,
The flower closes and the petals shut;
Through them the perfume slips out, like a soul—
The long, still sleep of death—and then the Grave.
C, O, March, 1889.
Critical Analysis
"To My Mother" delves into the contrasting ways individuals experience and express their inner selves. The poem uses the imagery of suns, hearts, and flowers to convey the idea that some souls are more reserved and introspective, while others seek to express themselves openly.
The metaphor of "cloud-shrouded, flower-cupped heart" suggests a heart that keeps its brightness hidden and its emotions guarded, symbolizing a reserved and introverted nature.
The lines "And they are wrong who say thou 'dost not feel'" acknowledge the complexity of those with quiet emotions, emphasizing that their depth of feeling is not necessarily reflected in outward expression.
The speaker's own perspective is contrasted with the reserved heart, as they express a need for openness and connection. The line "I need blue air and opened bloom" reflects a desire for external expression and engagement with the world.
The poem's acknowledgment of the temporary nature of life and the inevitability of death is conveyed through the lines "And when the thrill, the joy, the love of life is gone, / I, too, am dead—a corpse, though not entombed."
The speaker's longing for connection and expression is juxtaposed with the imagery of a flower closing and the perfume slipping out, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of life's vitality and the eventual transition to death.
"To My Mother" captures the complexities of human experience, ranging from the quiet and introverted to the need for open expression and connection, ultimately leading to a contemplation of mortality.
Summary
"To My Mother" by Voltairine de Cleyre explores the diverse ways in which individuals experience and express their inner selves. Through the metaphor of hidden hearts and closed flowers, the poem contemplates the contrast between introversion and the need for external expression. The poem touches on themes of introspection, emotional depth, and the impermanence of life's vitality.
Themes of the Poem
- Introversion and Expression: The poem delves into the differences between souls that keep their emotions guarded and those that seek external expression.
- Depth of Feeling: The poem challenges the misconception that those who express themselves quietly do not feel deeply.
- Mortality and Impermanence: The poem contemplates the transient nature of life's vitality and the eventual transition to death.
Stylistic Analysis
- Metaphor: The use of metaphor—cloud-shrouded hearts and flower-cupped souls—enhances the poem's exploration of inner experiences.
- Contrast: The contrast between the reserved heart and the speaker's need for external expression highlights the diversity of human nature.
Attitudes/Feelings
- Longing and Desire: The poem conveys a longing for openness, connection, and external expression.
- Contemplation: The poem contemplates the complexities of human experiences, including the depth of feeling and the eventual passage to death.
Language
- Emotive Language: The poem employs emotive language to convey the depth of feeling associated with different experiences of life.
- Symbolism: The symbolism of suns, hearts, and flowers adds layers of meaning to the exploration of individual experiences.
Sound Devices
- Rhythm: The poem's rhythmic flow contributes to its contemplative and introspective tone, allowing the reader to engage with the complex themes.