Edgar Allan Poe

“The Happiest Day.”

Summary

The poem reflects on a moment of realization where the speaker acknowledges that their happiest day, filled with hopes of pride and power, is behind them. They reminisce about the visions and dreams of their youth that have since faded away, expressing a sense of loss and acceptance. The speaker grapples with feelings of regret and the acknowledgment that even if they were offered the same hopeful moment again, they wouldn't choose to relive it, as it was tainted with pain and disillusionment. The poem's reflective nature explores themes of fleeting joy, innocence lost, and the burdens that come with aspirations unfulfilled.

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I
The happiest day—the happiest hour
My seared and blighted heart hath known,
The highest hope of pride and power,
I feel hath flown.

II
Of power! said I? Yes! such I ween
But they have vanished long, alas!
The visions of my youth have been
But let them pass.

III
And pride, what have I now with thee?
Another brow may ev’n inherit
The venom thou hast poured on me
Be still my spirit!

IV
The happiest day—the happiest hour
Mine eyes shall see—have ever seen
The brightest glance of pride and power
I feel have been:

V
But were that hope of pride and power
Now offered with the pain
Ev’n then I felt—that brightest hour
I would not live again:

VI
For on its wing was dark alloy
And as it fluttered—fell
An essence—powerful to destroy
A soul that knew it well.

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