Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Listeners" is a poem by Walter de la Mare that explores the theme of the passage of time and the mystery of the unknown. The poem was first published in 1912.

The poem is structured in two stanzas of equal length, each consisting of eight lines. The poem's language and imagery evoke a sense of mystery and uncertainty, as the speaker encounters a group of mysterious "listeners" in an empty house at night.

The first stanza establishes the setting of the poem, describing the speaker's arrival at an empty house in the middle of the night. The speaker calls out, but there is no answer, and he is greeted only by the "echoes" of his own voice.

The second stanza introduces the mysterious "listeners," who are described as "phantom" and "shadowy." The speaker asks them who they are and why they are there, but receives no answer. The stanza ends with the image of the listeners disappearing into the darkness, leaving the speaker alone in the empty house.

Overall, "The Listeners" is a powerful and evocative exploration of the themes of mystery, uncertainty, and the passage of time. The poem suggests that there are many mysteries in life that we may never fully understand, and that the passage of time can leave us feeling isolated and alone. However, the poem also suggests that there is a beauty and power in the unknown, and that it is this mystery that gives life its sense of wonder and awe.

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