Poetry & Analysis
Selected Poems
Inspirational PoemsThe Choice
He’d have given me rolling lands,
Houses of marble, and billowing farms,
Pearls, to trickle between my hands,
Smoldering rubies, to circle my arms.
You––you’d only a lilting song,
Only a melody, happy and high,
You were sudden and swift and strong,––
Never a thought for another had I.
He’d have given me laces rare,
Dresses that glimmered with frosty sheen,
Shining ribbons to wrap my hair,
Horses to draw me, as fine as a queen.
You––you’d only to whistle low,
Gaily I followed wherever you led.
I took you, and I let him go,––
Somebody ought to examine my head!
Overview Short Summary
The poem contrasts wealth that could trickle through the speaker’s hands with the irresistible pull of song and love. It supports hands and love searches from a witty romantic angle.
Core Ideas Main Themes
- Love over wealth: The speaker chooses song and attraction over luxury.
- Hands and possession: Jewels between hands represent material temptation.
- Humor: The ending turns romantic choice into comic self-critique.
Emotional Effect Tone and Mood
The tone is witty, lively, and romantic; the mood is playful and self-aware.
Craft Literary Devices
- Contrast: Rich gifts are set against a simple song.
- Hyperbole: The extravagant gifts make the choice feel dramatic and comic.
Reader Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best poems about hands?
Some of the best classic poems about hands include “Your Hands” by Angelina Weld Grimké, “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” by William Ross Wallace, “Beautiful Hands” by Ellen M. H. Gates, “The Village Blacksmith” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and “The Song of the Shirt” by Thomas Hood.
What do hands symbolize in poetry?
Hands often symbolize love, work, care, touch, memory, blessing, responsibility, violence, creativity, and human connection. The meaning depends on how the poet uses the hand image in the poem.
Which poems are good for mother’s hands or old hands?
“Beautiful Hands” by Ellen M. H. Gates and “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” by William Ross Wallace are strong choices for mother’s hands. “Amaze” by Adelaide Crapsey and “A Dream” by Louisa Lawson also connect hands with age, memory, and reflection.
Which poems are good for working hands?
“The Village Blacksmith” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Song of the Shirt” by Thomas Hood, “Study” by D. H. Lawrence, and “To the Spade of a Friend” by William Wordsworth are useful poems for the theme of working hands.
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