Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"St. Valentine's Day" is a poem by Edith Bland Nesbit, an English author and poet born on August 15, 1858, in London, England. Nesbit was a prolific writer and is best known for her children's books, but she also wrote poetry throughout her career. "St. Valentine's Day" was first published in 1898 and is a celebration of love and romance on the holiday of Valentine's Day.

Context:

Nesbit lived during a time of great change in British society, with the country experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite this, there was still a strong interest in romance and the traditional values of love and courtship. "St. Valentine's Day" reflects this interest in love and romance and the importance of celebrating these emotions in our lives.

Content:

"St. Valentine's Day" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of love. The poem describes the holiday of Valentine's Day as a time when lovers exchange gifts and express their feelings for each other. The speaker emphasizes the importance of love in our lives, noting that it has the power to heal wounds and bring joy to our hearts. The poem is a celebration of the power of love to inspire and uplift us.

Form:

"St. Valentine's Day" is a lyric poem consisting of four stanzas of four lines each, for a total of 16 lines. The poem has a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with each line containing roughly the same number of syllables. The meter is primarily iambic, with a few variations to create a natural flow of the language. The poem's form is relatively simple, which adds to its overall sense of lightness and simplicity.

Poetic Elements:

Nesbit employs several poetic techniques and devices in "St. Valentine's Day." The poem is rich in imagery, with descriptions of gifts and flowers creating a vivid sense of the holiday. The speaker also uses metaphor, comparing love to a healing balm that can soothe our hearts. There is also a sense of symbolism in the poem, with Valentine's Day representing the importance of expressing our love and appreciation for the people in our lives.

Summary:

Overall, "St. Valentine's Day" celebrates the power of love and romance. Nesbit's use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a sense of warmth and joy, emphasizing the importance of expressing our feelings and emotions for the people we love. While the poem is relatively simple in its form and content, it is a powerful reminder of the beauty and importance of love in our lives.

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