Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Air of Coolness Plays upon His Face" is a poem by Sarah Norcliffe Cleghorn that explores the themes of fatherhood, family, and legacy. The poem was first published in The Century Magazine in April 1917.

Explanation:

The poem describes a scene of a father standing beside his sleeping first-born child. The father sees his son as a sign of an unbroken chain of love that stretches far into the past and will continue into the future. The poem reflects on the legacy that is passed down from generation to generation and the hope that children represent for the future.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reminds the reader that every child is king within their time and every father has their moment of supreme importance. The poem concludes with a sense of hope and expectation, as the child is seen as a bearer of the future and a link in the chain of love and destiny that will endure through time.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Air of Coolness Plays upon His Face" is written in free verse without a set rhyme or meter. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with varying line lengths and no consistent pattern of rhyme or rhythm. This form allows the poem to flow freely and naturally, with the language and imagery serving as the primary focus. The use of repetition and alliteration creates a sense of unity and continuity, reflecting the theme of family and legacy.

• Imagery: "Air of coolness," "crisp hair," "halo of sweet grace"
• Allusion: None
• Metaphor: The first-born child as a link in an unbroken chain of love and legacy
• Symbolism: The sleeping child as a symbol of hope and the future

Conclusion:

"Air of Coolness Plays upon His Face" is a touching and reflective poem that celebrates the enduring power of family and the legacy that is passed down from one generation to the next. The poem invites readers to consider the importance of fatherhood and the hope that children represent for the future.

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