Poem AnalysisThe poet is suffering from the death of a loved one. All she can think about is how painful it is that the person is gone. She says," What torture lurks within a single thought". She wants to avoid the pain, but welcomes the thought because she doesn't want to forget that person. She can't help but to dwell on all the many happy memories they shared, but she wants to refrain from the agony that comes with it. She realizes," Recurring joy is pain refined". Her heart is heavy. This makes me feels sympathy for her because we all know how it feels to lose someone, and how hard it is to cope. She is mourning and is having difficulty continuing with her life, so she despereately wants to get over it. She recognizes," You bind my freedom from its rightful quest.
In mercy lift your drooping wings and go". She decides she cant let this death stop her from living. |
Literary Devices AnalysisThe emotional poem holds one literary device. I found simile in the middle of the poem. She stated,"
You lie upon my heart as on a nest". She is comparing how her friend that passed away is still in heart heart, just like a bird stays on a nest.
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A Fixed Idea
A Fixed Idea
BY AMY LOWELL
What torture lurks within a single thought
When grown too constant; and however kind,
However welcome still, the weary mind
Aches with its presence. Dull remembrance taught
Remembers on unceasingly; unsought
The old delight is with us but to find
That all recurring joy is pain refined,
Become a habit, and we struggle, caught.
You lie upon my heart as on a nest,
Folded in peace, for you can never know
How crushed I am with having you at rest
Heavy upon my life. I love you so
You bind my freedom from its rightful quest.
In mercy lift your drooping wings and go.