To One in Paradise
By Edgar Allan Poe
Thou wast that all to me, love,
For which my soul did pine —
A green isle in the sea, love,
A fountain and a shrine,
All wreathed with fairy fruits and flowers,
And all the flowers were mine.
Ah, dream too bright to last!
Ah, starry Hope! that didst arise
But to be overcast!
A voice from out the Future cries,
"On! on!" — but o'er the Past
(Dim gulf!) my spirit hovering lies
Mute, motionless, aghast!
For, alas! alas! with me
The light of Life is o'er!
"No more — no more — no more" —
(Such language holds the solemn sea
To the sands upon the shore)
Shall bloom the thunder-blasted tree,
Or the stricken eagle soar!
And all my days are trances,
And all my nightly dreams
Are where thy dark eye glances,
And where thy footstep gleams —
In what ethereal dances,
By what eternal streams!
Alas! for that accursed time
They bore thee o'er the billow,
From love to titled age and crime,
And an unholy pillow!
From me, and from our misty clime,
Where weeps the silver willow!
1835
Note:
"To One in Paradise" was included originally in "The Visionary" (a tale now known as "The Assignation"), in July, 1835, and appeared as a separate poem entitled "To Ianthe in Heaven," in Burton's Gentleman's Magazine for July, 1839. The fifth stanza is now added, for the first time, to the piece.
Poem Analysis:
Edgar Allan Poe's To One in Paradise is a poignant expression of love, loss, and longing, embodying the themes that pervade much of his work. The poem’s melancholy tone and rich imagery reflect the depth of his grief and his longing for the transcendent union with a lost beloved.
Themes
- Love and Idealization: The speaker’s beloved is depicted as an ethereal, almost divine figure. She is described as a “green isle in the sea” and a “fountain and a shrine,” symbols of purity, sanctuary, and spiritual sustenance. The use of these metaphors suggests that she was not only the object of the speaker's love but also his source of inspiration and solace.
- Loss and Grief: The poem is steeped in mourning. The speaker laments the loss of his beloved and the subsequent emptiness of his life. The phrase “Ah, dream too bright to last!” encapsulates the fleeting nature of happiness, emphasizing the fragility of human joy.
- Mortality and Eternity: Poe often grapples with the tension between the temporal and the eternal. In To One in Paradise, the beloved’s departure is portrayed as a passage from life to death or perhaps a metaphysical transition to a state beyond the speaker's reach. The speaker’s longing to join her “by what eternal streams” evokes a hope for reunion in an otherworldly realm.
- Despair and Isolation: The speaker’s despair is absolute, conveyed through phrases like “No more — no more — no more.” The repetition reinforces the finality of his loss and the hopelessness that follows. This isolation mirrors Poe’s own life, marked by repeated bereavements and personal struggles.
Structure and Form
The poem consists of five stanzas of varying lengths, reflecting an irregular yet lyrical quality. Poe’s deliberate use of uneven structure mirrors the turbulent emotions of the speaker, from serene memories of love to the chaotic agony of loss. The rhythm and meter shift throughout, with moments of musicality juxtaposed against abrupt interruptions, underscoring the dissonance of joy and sorrow.
Literary Devices
- Imagery: Poe’s imagery is vivid and evocative, creating a dreamlike landscape that intertwines beauty and desolation. The “green isle in the sea” and “fairy fruits and flowers” suggest an idyllic paradise, while the “thunder-blasted tree” and “stricken eagle” convey devastation and despair.
- Repetition: The repeated phrase “No more — no more — no more” emphasizes the speaker’s anguish and the irrevocability of his loss. The cadence mimics the relentless crashing of waves, adding to the poem’s somber tone.
- Personification: Poe personifies abstract concepts like Hope and the sea. The “starry Hope” arises “only to be overcast,” reflecting the ephemeral nature of the speaker’s optimism. The sea “speaks” to the sands in a solemn language, heightening the poem’s mournful atmosphere.
- Alliteration and Assonance: Poe employs alliteration (“silver willow,” “starry Hope”) and assonance (“the light of Life”) to enhance the musicality of the poem. These devices draw attention to key phrases and contribute to the poem’s lyrical quality.
- Symbolism:
- The Sea: The sea often represents eternity, mystery, or separation. Here, it symbolizes the unbridgeable gap between the speaker and his lost love.
- The Willow Tree: The “silver willow” evokes traditional associations with mourning and grief.
- The Eagle: A symbol of strength and freedom, the “stricken eagle” reflects the speaker’s broken spirit after his loss.
Emotional Impact
The emotional arc of the poem is deeply moving, beginning with an idealized memory of love and plunging into the despair of loss. The final stanza introduces a bitter note, referencing betrayal and separation, suggesting that external forces (perhaps societal or moral constraints) played a role in the beloved’s departure. This adds a layer of injustice to the speaker's sorrow, intensifying the pathos.
Context and Legacy
To One in Paradise resonates with Poe’s personal experiences, particularly his lifelong struggles with loss and mourning. The poem’s themes align with his broader oeuvre, characterized by meditations on beauty, death, and the transient nature of human happiness. Its haunting lyricism and emotional depth have made it a classic example of Romantic poetry.
Poe’s ability to universalize his personal grief allows readers to connect with the poem on a deeply emotional level. The combination of musicality, imagery, and philosophical musings creates a work that is both intimate and timeless.
To One in Paradise is a testament to Edgar Allan Poe’s mastery of emotional expression and poetic craft. Through its exploration of love, loss, and the yearning for transcendence, the poem captures the profound beauty and tragedy of the human condition. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke empathy and contemplation, drawing readers into its melancholic yet mesmerizing world.