Poem Analysis - O Were My Love Yon Lilack Fair

Initial Impressions and Tone

Robert Burns' poem "O were my Love yon Lilack fair" presents a romantic and somewhat melancholic tone, reflecting the speaker's deep longing for a beloved. The poem begins with a gentle, almost whimsical, tone, as the speaker imagines his love as a lilac tree. However, the mood shifts to one of mourning and loss when the speaker contemplates the lilac being torn by autumn and winter. The poem then shifts again to a more intimate and passionate tone, as the speaker imagines his love as a red rose. The overall tone is one of longing, admiration, and a touch of sadness, capturing the complexities of romantic love.

Themes of Love and Nature

The poem explores the theme of love through vivid natural imagery. The speaker's love is compared to a lilac tree and a red rose, both symbols of beauty and fragility. The lilac represents a more delicate and ephemeral love, while the rose signifies a more passionate and enduring affection. The speaker's desire to be a bird sheltering in the lilac or a drop of dew on the rose highlights the intensity of his love and his longing for closeness. The theme of nature is intertwined with love, suggesting that the speaker finds solace and expression for his feelings in the natural world.

Symbolism of Seasons and Time

The poem uses the symbolism of seasons to explore the theme of time and its impact on love. The lilac, with its purple blossoms in the spring, represents the fleeting beauty of youth and love. The speaker's mourning when the lilac is torn by autumn and winter signifies the pain of loss and the passage of time. The red rose, growing on the castle wall, symbolizes a more enduring love that can withstand the passage of time. The speaker's desire to be a drop of dew on the rose, feasting on its beauty all night, suggests a love that is both intense and timeless. The contrast between the ephemeral lilac and the enduring rose highlights the speaker's longing for a love that can transcend the ravages of time.

Imagery of Birds and Dew

The poem features recurring images of birds and dew, which contribute to its overall message of love and longing. The bird, weary on its little wing, seeking shelter in the lilac, represents the speaker's desire for comfort and protection in his love. The bird's ability to sing on wanton wing when youthful May renews its bloom suggests a sense of freedom and joy that comes from being in love. The image of the speaker as a drop of dew on the rose's breast emphasizes his desire for intimacy and closeness. The dew, sealed on the rose's silk-saft folds, represents a love that is both delicate and profound, a love that can withstand the passage of time and the ravages of nature.

Conclusion

The poem "O were my Love yon Lilack fair" by Robert Burns is a beautiful exploration of love, nature, and the passage of time. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, Burns captures the complexities of romantic love, highlighting the speaker's longing for intimacy, protection, and enduring affection. The poem's use of natural imagery and seasonal symbolism underscores the themes of love and time, suggesting that true love can transcend the ravages of nature and the passage of years. The poem's final insight is that love, like the lilac and the rose, is both delicate and enduring, a source of both joy and sorrow, but ultimately a force that can sustain and enrich our lives.