A Little Song (Poem by Duncan Campbell Scott)

A Little Song

By Duncan Campbell Scott

The sunset in the rosy west

    Burned soft and high;

A shore-lark fell like a stone to his nest

    In the waving rye.

A wind came over the garden beds

    From the dreamy lawn,

The pansies nodded their purple heads,

    The poppies began to yawn.

One pansy said: It is only sleep,

    Only his gentle breath:

But a rose lay strewn in a snowy heap,

    For the rose it was only death.

Heigho, we’ve only one life to live,

    And only one death to die:

Good-morrow, new world, have you nothing to give? — 

    Good-bye, old world, good-bye.

Poem Analysis:

Duncan Campbell Scott's "A Little Song" is a brief yet evocative poem that captures the fleeting beauty of nature and contemplates the cycle of life and death. Through vivid imagery and simple yet profound language, Scott invites readers to reflect on the transient nature of existence and the inevitability of mortality.

Nature's Tranquility and Beauty: The poem opens with a serene scene of a sunset in the rosy west, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility. The imagery of the shore-lark falling to its nest in the waving rye and the wind drifting over the garden beds sets a tranquil tone, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural world.

Symbolism of Flowers: Scott uses flowers as symbols to convey deeper themes within the poem. The nodding pansies and yawning poppies personify nature, creating a sense of whimsy and vitality. The contrast between the pansies' gentle sleep and the rose's death suggests the duality of life and the inevitability of mortality.

Reflections on Life and Death: The poem's central theme revolves around the cyclical nature of life and death. The pansy's remark about sleep and the rose's demise highlight the fragility and impermanence of existence. Scott prompts readers to contemplate the brevity of life and the inevitability of death, reminding them of the fleeting nature of human existence.

A Poignant Farewell: The final stanza encapsulates the poem's themes of transition and transformation. The speaker bids farewell to the old world, acknowledging the inevitability of change and transition. The phrase "Good-morrow, new world, have you nothing to give?" reflects a sense of anticipation and hope for what lies ahead, while "Good-bye, old world, good-bye" signifies acceptance of the passage of time and the embrace of new beginnings.

The Beauty of Transience: Through "A Little Song," Scott celebrates the beauty of transience and the interconnectedness of life and death. The poem encourages readers to embrace the fleeting moments of beauty and to find solace in the cyclical rhythms of nature.

In "A Little Song," Duncan Campbell Scott crafts a poignant meditation on the beauty of nature, the transient nature of existence, and the inevitability of mortality. Through rich imagery and thought-provoking reflections, Scott invites readers to contemplate the cyclical rhythms of life and to find solace in the beauty of the natural world.