The Optimist

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1855 (Janesville) – 1919



The fields were bleak and sodden. Not a wing
Or note enlivened the depressing wood,
A soiled and sullen, stubborn snowdrift stood
Beside the roadway. Winds came muttering
Of storms to be, and brought the chilly sting
Of icebergs in their breath. Stalled cattle mooed
Forth plaintive pleadings for the earth's green food.
No gleam, no hint of hope in anything.

The sky was blank and ashen, like the face
Of some poor wretch who drains life's cup too fast.
Yet, swaying to and fro, as if to fling
About chilled Nature its lithe arms of grace,
Smiling with promise in the wintry blast,
The optimistic Willow spoke of spring.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

34 sec read
81

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABBAABXA CDACDA
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 619
Words 112
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 8, 6

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American author and poet. more…

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