Many a Phrase Has the English Language
poem 276
Many a Phrase Has the English Language - meaning Summary
Sound and Sudden Emotion
The speaker reflects on a single English phrase that arrives in many voices — soft as a cricket, loud as thunder — and imagines it echoing like seas and night birds. Its arrival interrupts sleep, breaking into “bright Orthography” and producing tears. The reaction is not to sorrow but to an overwhelming push of joy; the speaker implores Saxton to repeat the phrase and keep it quietly for her alone. The poem links sound, memory, and sudden feeling.
Read Complete AnalysesMany a phrase has the English language I have heard but one Low as the laughter of the Cricket, Loud, as the Thunder’s Tongue Murmuring, like old Caspian Choirs, When the Tide’s a’ lull Saying itself in new infection Like a Whippoorwill Breaking in bright Orthography On my simple sleep Thundering its Prospective Till I stir, and weep Not for the Sorrow, done me But the push of Joy Say it again, Saxton! Hush Only to me!
Feel free to be first to leave comment.