To a Mountain Daisy (Poem by Robert Burns)

To a Mountain Daisy

By Robert Burns

Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flow’r,

Thou’s met me in an evil hour;

For I maun crush amang the stoure

                Thy slender stem:

To spare thee now is past my pow’r,

                Thou bonnie gem.

Alas! it’s no thy neebor sweet,

The bonnie lark, companion meet!

Bending thee ‘mang the dewy weet,

                Wi’ spreckl’d breast,

When upward-springing, blythe, to greet

                The purpling east.

Cauld blew the bitter-biting north

Upon thy early, humble birth;

Yet cheerfully thou glinted forth

                Amid the storm,

Scarce rear’d above the parent earth

                Thy tender form.

The flaunting flowers our gardens yield,

High shelt’ring woods and wa’s maun shield

But thou, beneath the random bield

                O’ clod or stane,

Adorns the histie stibble-field,

                Unseen, alane.

There, in thy scanty mantle clad,

Thy snawie bosom sunward spread,

Thou lifts thy unassuming head

                In humble guise;

But now the share uptears thy bed,

                And low thou lies!

Such is the fate of artless maid,

Sweet flow’ret of the rural shade!

By love’s simplicity betray’d,

                And guileless trust,

’Till she, like thee, all soil’d, is laid

                Low i’ the dust.

Such is the fate of simple bard,

On life’s rough ocean luckless starr’d!

Unskilful he to note the card

                Of prudent lore,

’Till billows rage, and gales blow hard,

                And whelm him o’er!

Such fate to suffering worth is giv’n,

Who long with wants and woes has striv’n,

By human pride or cunning driv’n

                To mis’ry’s brink,

’Till wrenched of every stay but Heav’n,

                He, ruin’d, sink!

Ev’n thou who mourn’st the Daisy’s fate,

That fate is thine — no distant date;

Stern Ruin’s ploughshare drives, elate,

                Full on thy bloom,

’Till crush’d beneath the furrow’s weight,

                Shall be thy doom!

Poem Analysis:

"To a Mountain Daisy" by Robert Burns is a poignant reflection on the fragility of life and the inevitable passage of time. Through the persona of the poet, the poem addresses a humble mountain daisy, contemplating its existence in the face of adversity and mortality. Burns uses vivid imagery and poignant language to convey themes of innocence, beauty, and the transient nature of existence.

Humble Beauty: The poem opens with the speaker addressing the mountain daisy as "wee, modest, crimson-tipped flow'r," highlighting its small yet beautiful presence in the natural world. Despite its diminutive size, the daisy captivates the poet's attention and evokes a sense of admiration for its delicate appearance.

Encounter with Mortality: The poet laments the unfortunate timing of his encounter with the daisy, as he is compelled to crush it amid the dust and turmoil. This encounter serves as a metaphor for the harsh realities of life and the inevitability of death. The daisy's vulnerability in the face of destruction mirrors the fragility of human existence.

Resilience and Simplicity: Despite facing adversity, the daisy resiliently emerges amid the storm, symbolizing the triumph of nature's resilience over adversity. Unlike the ostentatious flowers in cultivated gardens, the daisy thrives in humble settings, symbolizing the beauty found in simplicity and modesty.

Parallel to Human Experience: Burns draws a parallel between the fate of the mountain daisy and the human condition. He reflects on the innocence and trust betrayed by love's simplicity, likening the daisy's fate to that of a simple maid or bard who falls victim to life's harsh realities. The poem underscores the universal experience of vulnerability and mortality shared by all living beings.

Acceptance of Fate: The poem concludes with a sober acknowledgment of the daisy's inevitable fate at the hands of "stern Ruin's ploughshare." Despite the fleeting nature of its existence, the daisy's beauty and resilience serve as a poignant reminder of life's transient beauty and the inevitability of mortality.

In conclusion, "To a Mountain Daisy" by Robert Burns is a contemplative meditation on the beauty, resilience, and mortality of life. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Burns captures the fleeting essence of existence and the enduring power of nature's simplicity. The poem invites readers to reflect on the fragility of life and find solace in the beauty of the natural world.