Sara Teasdale Sara Teasdale "Song"
You bound strong sandals on my feet
You gave me bread bread and wine
And sent me under sun and stars
For all the world was mine
O, take the sandals off my feet,
You know not what you do
For all my world is in your arms,
My sun and stars are you.
Title
The title does not really reflect the poem in a obvious manner. When one hears the word "song" they would automatically assume it has something to do with music. This poem it not related in anyway to music, other than the fact that it may have a lyrical appeal.
Speaker
The method of narration for this poem is first person. The importance of this choice is that it gives the poem a personal touch, specifically that of Sara Teasdale. It allows the reader to have access to Sara's thoughts, feelings, and beliefs at this given time. The poem was dedicated to Marion Stanley a close friend of hers. Her goal was to speak of the spiritual love she felt she felt towards her friend.
Setting
There is no physical/tangible setting for this poem. It was written in an almost fleeting manner capturing only her thoughts and emotions. The poem itself is overflowing with warmth and love towards Marion. That is not to say the poem was intended to display any form of sexual imagery for another woman. Rather it was meant to show that two souls can connect on spiritual level regardless of gender. Thus the poem reflects her admiration for Marion because of all that she has gained from their friendship.
Structure
This poem is a typical representation of her style of poetry. Again the poem consists of only eight lines that are broken up into two even stanzas with every second line indenting. The last word in the second and fourth line of every stanza rhyme. It may also be important to note that "my feet" is said at the end of the first line in both stanzas. A pattern is also identified within the number of syllables per line (8,6,8,6). The poem is written in a simplistic form that is indicative of her honest admiration.
Speech Figures
The poem in its entirety is based upon the simple rhyming pattern of abcbaded. An example of alliteration is, "sent me under sun & stars" because they share the common initial 's' sound. An example of a metaphor is, "you bound strong sandals on my feet", Sara compares the strength and support that Marion gave her to that of a strong pair of shoes that can withstand the forces of nature. Similarly she attributes the sun and stars in "my sun and stars are you" as being the characteristics displayed by Marion. Thus alliteration is utilized because the stars and sun take on Marion's human characteristics that make her unique.
Sense to Sound
The words chosen have a direct yet subtle appeal that allowed Sara's thoughts to be deciphered. It is typical of her style in that she writes in an easy manner that easily understood while still following a basic rhyming scheme
Summary
The entire poem is about the love she feels for her friend. Thus she compares her unique qualities to the sun and stars, and that of strong sandals. It was Sara's goal to express the impact that Marion had on her. In essence she nurtured Sara into a fuller more appreciative being. The poem also has an almost biblical aura when it states, "you bound strong sandals on my feet, you gave me bead and wine." A connection can be made between Jesus sharing the bread and wine to that of Marion's nurturing. It can in many regards show the high esteem that Sara feels for her because she is making such a strong comparison.
