In “Embers,” the speaker believes her youth has gone out—not through one great sorrow, but through many small griefs falling steadily, like rain that puts out a fire. She imagines that lost youth as a fire that will never again sway, sing, or play with the wind. The mood at first is weary and resigned. Then the one she loves returns, and something she thought was dead catches again. The flame leaps up at the wind’s call, throws off its ashen covering, and gives itself like a bride. The ending is intimate and hopeful, but also fragile; the same images of wind and rain that once quenched the fire still surround it. Love reawakens youth and desire, but the renewed flame feels vivid rather than permanent.
Embers — Summary
I said, "My youth is gone Like a fire beaten out by the rain, That will never sway and sing Or play with the wind again."
I said, "It is no great sorrow That quenched my youth in me, But only little sorrows Beating ceaselessly."
I thought my youth was gone, But you returned-- Like a flame at the call of the wind It leaped and burned;
Threw off its ashen cloak, And gowned anew Gave itself like a bride Once more to you.