The speaker of Leonora Speyer’s “Song” imagines what would make her life feel complete. If she could sing the dawn—the leaves, the birds, a fern uncurling in the sun—she would be content to go through the world alone. If she could sing the dusk, with the moon and stars of June shining around her, she would not even fear death cutting her thread. But her deepest longing is to sing love itself. She does not ask to be kissed or held; others may do that. What she wants is to fill her throat with every sounding note and be the one whose lips can sing. The mood is wistful and a little otherworldly, full of longing from someone who values singing—and the beauty it captures—above ordinary human closeness or safety.
Song — Summary
If I could sing the song of the dawn, The carroling word of leaf and bird And the sun-waked fern uncurling there, I would go lonely and would not care.
If I could sing the song of the dusk, The stars and moon of glistening June Lit at the foot and head of me, The Spinner might break the thread of me.
If I could sing but the song of love. Fill my throat with each sounding note. Others might kiss and clasp and cling, Mine be the lips that would sing, would sing!