My heart, I cannot still it,
Nest that had song-birds in it;
And when the last shall go,
The dreary days to fill it,
Instead of lark or linnet,
Shall whirl dead leaves and snow.
Had they been swallows only,
Without the passion stronger
That skyward longs and sings,—
Woe's me, I shall be lonely
When I can feel no longer
The impatience of their wings!
A moment, sweet delusion,
Like birds the brown leaves hover;
But it will not be long
Before their wild confusion
Fall wavering down to cover
The poet and his song.
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The title of this poem caught my eye. Unknown of Feb. 8 made an interesting comment, and in reading the poem, I believe he (or she)is correct that the poem is filled with loss/grief. The title (use freedictionary.com for further clarity of the term) deals with omens. Lowell compares the leaves to birds and loss so well in this poem. Lines 11-13 are so true: we miss what we don't have any longer. Lowell realizes that all the energy and noise that were present in his home are leaving him, and he will be alone. I've included a varient definition of the title:
aus·pi·ces (ôsp-sz)
An augur of ancient Rome, especially one who interpreted omens derived from the observation of birds. -
the return of fall and the departure of song birds saddens him. he loves their music, but when they leave he is lonely again. for a moment the leaves look like the flapping of wings and he thinks the birds (and their songs..) may return. but they have not. his poetry is characterized by loss due to the death of one of his daughters.
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can anyone paraphrase this one?
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ok
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yeah
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