"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale

 

There Will Come Soft Rains

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Sara Teasdale

1884 –

1933

(War Time)

There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,
And swallows circling with their shimmering sound;

And frogs in the pools singing at night,
And wild plum trees in tremulous white,

Robins will wear their feathery fire
Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire;

And not one will know of the war, not one
Will care at last when it is done.

Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree
If mankind perished utterly;

And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn,
Would scarcely know that we were gone.

About poet, 

Sara Teasdale (1884–1933) was an American lyric poet known for her delicate, emotionally intense poetry, often centered around themes of love, beauty, nature, and death. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Teasdale was the youngest of four children. She grew up in a well-to-do family and was somewhat sheltered due to frequent illness in her early years.

Teasdale began writing poetry in her teens and was first published in 1907 with her collection Sonnets to Duse and Other Poems. 

Summary of the Poem, 

The poem, "There Will Come Soft Rains," by Sara Teasdale, is a lyrical poem that reflects on nature's indifference to human conflicts and existence.

 It imagines a world where humanity has been wiped out, likely due to war, and nature continues on undisturbed.

Teasdale describes a serene and peaceful natural world where soft rains fall, frogs sing at night, and robins whistle in the sky. The swallows circle with their shimmering wings, and the smell of wet earth permeates the air. She emphasizes the beauty and continuity of nature, which will go on even if humans are no longer around.

The poem can be seen as a critique of war and human violence. By imagining a world where humans are absent due to their own self-destruction, Teasdale underscores the futility and tragic waste of human life caused by war.

 The imagery of a peaceful, untroubled nature contrasts sharply with the implied devastation that has eradicated humanity, making a powerful statement about the ultimate uselessness of human conflict.

The poem ends with a strong statement : even if all human beings were to disappear, the earth would not notice or care.

Through its serene yet haunting imagery, the poem invites readers to reflect on the consequences of human actions and the enduring power of the natural world

In this way "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Sara Teasdale is a profound meditation on the relationship between humanity and nature, exploring themes of indifference, transience, and the futility of human conflict.

 

Themes of the poem :

Nature’s Indifference: The central theme of the poem is the idea that nature is indifferent to human existence. The natural world is portrayed as serene and self-sustaining, unaffected by human conflicts, such as war.

Human Fragility: The poem subtly critiques the fragility and transience of human life. It suggests that despite human efforts to dominate or change the world, nature remains the enduring force, unconcerned with human affairs.

War and Destruction: Although the poem doesn’t directly mention war, the context implies that humanity may have destroyed itself through its own conflicts, particularly through war. This interpretation is bolstered by the fact that the poem was written in 1920, just after World War I.

The Permanence of Nature: While human beings may come and go, nature is portrayed as eternal. The poem reflects the idea that life on Earth will continue long after humans have disappeared.

Imagery and Symbolism:

Soft Rains: The "soft rains" symbolize the gentle, unending cycle of nature. The rains cleanse and renew the earth, symbolizing nature’s ability to continue despite human absence.

Birds and Animals: The birds and animals represent the continuity of life. Their presence in the poem underscores the idea that life persists even when human beings are no longer part of the picture.

The Absence of Humans: The poem's lack of direct mention of humans and the idea that their disappearance would go unnoticed underscores the insignificance of human life in the broader context of nature.