Sweet Dancer
Sweet Dancer - meaning Summary
Joy as Quiet Escape
The poem observes a young woman dancing in a garden, portrayed as liberated from a harsh past and social pressures. The speaker urges onlookers to resist labeling her as "crazy" if they attempt to interrupt her. Instead he asks that she be gently allowed to continue, so her dance—a moment of freedom and self-possession—can reach its completion. The tone is protective and quietly celebratory.
Read Complete AnalysesThe girl goes dancing there On the leaf-sown, new-mown, smooth Grass plot of the garden; Escaped from bitter youth, Escaped out of her crowd, Or out of her black cloud. Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer! If strange men come from the house To lead her away, do not say That she is happy being crazy; Lead them gently astray; Let her finish her dance, Let her finish her dance. Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer!
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