I Think the Longest Hour of All
poem 635
I Think the Longest Hour of All - meaning Summary
Long Wait, Restrained Joy
The poem describes a moment of heightened anticipation after arrival but before a departure. Time feels obstructed and exaggerated—seconds hang and the pendulum’s ticking becomes intrusive—while the speaker’s heart grows crowded with feeling. After completing a shy act of love or duty, the speaker withdraws, taking a violin and moving northward. The poem treats waiting as an emotional intensifier and retreat as a modest, graceful response to intimacy.
Read Complete AnalysesI think the longest Hour of all Is when the Cars have come And we are waiting for the Coach It seems as though the Time Indignant that the Joy was come Did block the Gilded Hands And would not let the Seconds by But slowest instant ends The Pendulum begins to count Like little Scholars loud The steps grow thicker in the Hall The Heart begins to crowd Then I my timid service done Tho’ service ’twas, of Love Take up my little Violin And further North remove.
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