My Secret
from The French Of Felix Arvers
My Secret - meaning Summary
Unspoken, Enduring Unrequited Love
The poem presents a quietly devastating confession of a secret, instantaneous love that remains unspoken and unreciprocated. The speaker describes carrying an eternal affection while passing perpetually beside the beloved, who is unaware and devoted to duty. He accepts lifelong loneliness, daring to ask for nothing and receiving nothing. The tone is resigned and tender, emphasizing unfulfilled devotion and the pain of loving without recognition.
Read Complete AnalysesMy soul its secret hath, my life too hath its mystery, A love eternal in a moment's space conceived; Hopeless the evil is, I have not told its history, And she who was the cause nor knew it nor believed. Alas! I shall have passed close by her unperceived, For ever at her side and yet for ever lonely, I shall unto the end have made life's journey, only Daring to ask for nought, and having nought received. For her, though God hath made her gentle and endearing, She will go on her way distraught and without hearing These murmurings of love that round her steps ascend, Piously faithful still unto her austere duty, Will say, when she shall read these lines full of her beauty, Who can this woman be? and will not comprehend.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.