Lyrical and Reflective Poetry
The poetry that we call lyrics or lyrical poems, are basically short and easy. They are direct expressions of the poet’s thoughts, feelings and sentiments. In the past, in the ancient Greece, the lyrics were recited to the accompaniment of an instrument called “lyre”. In the context of today’s scenario, lyrical songs are sung to the tune of the guitar.
But there are lyrical poems you may find unsuitable for singing. Poems like Pope’s Essay on Man and Wordsworth’s Prelude are such a long in length that one can not call them lyrics. They are too much thoughtful. Therefore, a lyric involves feeling rather than thought!
Wordsworth’s the Rainbow deals with beautiful reflection on nature:
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began,
So it is now I am a man:
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
This poem is lyrical in real sense of the term expresses the feeling of joy. If Wordsworth had thought of describing the effects of nature on human beings, it would have been reflective poem rather than being lyrical. Read the rest of this entry »