The holiest of all holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart,
When the full river of feeling overflows;–
The happy days unclouded to their close;
The sudden joys that out of darkness start
As flames from ashes; swift desires that dart
Like swallows singing down each wind that blows!
White as the gleam of a receding sail,
White as a cloud that floats and fades in air,
White as the whitest lily on a stream,
These tender memories are;–a fairy tale
Of some enchanted land we know not where,
But lovely as a landscape in a dream.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem Holidays

3 Comments

  1. BettyLu says:

    I found this poem thru Barlett’s Famous Quotations searching subject “anniversaries.” Line 3–on target. Will read in program about anniversaries at retirement community:marriages of 67 yrs, more than 50, some 10 or less.Also D-Day, Korean War,100th ann’y of Lake Oswego,, Pendleton Rodeo,Portland 103rd Rose Festival! Fits!

  2. tulsi says:

    hey jenny.. yay i guess ive commented in a right way.. is that true. well i really love this poem a lot and also it has very good pronounciation.. i really appreciate henry for his fantastic job… keep it up…

    tulsi!

  3. jenny says:

    why hasnt anyone commented this one yet…. holidays r fun….. i geuss i just had to be first! YAY ME!

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