Poem Analysis - The Posie

Robert Burns' "The Posie" is a tender and heartfelt declaration of love, presented as a humble offering to his beloved May. The poem adopts a tone of gentle admiration and devotion, building from a simple promise to gather flowers into a powerful vow of lifelong commitment. The poem unfolds with a consistent mood of romantic idealism, enhanced by the vivid imagery of the Scottish landscape and carefully chosen floral symbols.

A Shepherd's Offering: Love Through Nature

One of the central themes of "The Posie" is the connection between love and the natural world. The speaker doesn't offer grand gestures or material wealth; instead, he pledges to gather a bouquet of wildflowers for May. Each flower is carefully selected not just for its beauty, but also for its symbolic meaning. This act elevates the offering beyond a simple gift; it becomes a tangible representation of his feelings. The poem develops this theme by weaving together the speaker's actions in nature with his expressions of affection for May. The act of gathering the posie becomes synonymous with the deepening of his love.

Floral Language: Symbols of Affection

Symbolism is crucial to understanding "The Posie." Each flower represents a different aspect of May's character and the speaker's love for her. The pink symbolizes May herself, the "pink o' womankind," her unparalled beauty. The budding rose signifies a "baumy kiss," linking her physical allure to the speaker's passionate feelings. The hyacinth, with its "unchanging blue," represents constancy, a crucial element in a pledge of lifelong love. The lily's purity and fairness are directly connected to May's virtuous nature, while the daisy signifies her unaffected and simple charm. Even the hawthorn, with its "locks o' siller grey," suggests a promise to love her through age. The posy, therefore, is not merely a collection of flowers but a carefully constructed language of love.

Protecting Innocence: Tender Considerations

The poem reveals the speaker's tenderness not only in his admiration for May but also in his respect for nature. While he will take a hawthorn branch, he declares "the songster's nest within the bush I winna tak away." This moment shows his consideration and refusal to disrupt the natural order for his own gain. This act reflects his overall gentle and respectful approach to love and life. It emphasizes the sincerity of his feelings; his love for May is not selfish or demanding but rather nurturing and protective.

From Posy to Promise: A Binding Vow

The ultimate symbol in the poem is the "silken band o' luve" that ties the posie together. This band represents the bond between the speaker and May, a bond he promises will "ne'er remove." The act of placing the posie in her breast is a symbolic act of entrusting his heart to her. The final lines, with their invocation of a higher power, elevate the simple posy into a solemn vow. The poem's significance lies in its ability to transform a simple gesture of love—gathering flowers—into a profound and enduring commitment. Perhaps we could ask: does the posy represent love's potential to transform the mundane into the sacred?