Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Dora Greenwell’s "When the Night and Morning Meet" is a contemplative and solemn meditation on life, death, and the spiritual transitions between the two. The poem moves seamlessly from birth to death, presenting both as profound moments within a narrow, confined existence, but with the underlying suggestion of a larger, more transcendent reality. Through the use of quiet, reflective language and repetitive, rhythmic phrases, Greenwell creates a sense of continuity between the beginning and end of life, highlighting the cyclical nature of existence and the eternal mysteries that surround both birth and death.

The poem opens with the image of a child being born "in the dark and narrow street," a metaphor that conveys the limitations of human life and the setting of poverty or hardship. This "dark and narrow street" symbolizes the confined, often challenging conditions of earthly existence. The juxtaposition of "night and morning" meeting at the moment of birth is significant, as it suggests that even at the beginning of life, there is already a hint of death’s presence, with night representing death and morning symbolizing life. The instruction to "speak low" conveys a sense of reverence and awe, as if birth is not merely a biological event but a sacred one, connected to the larger mysteries of existence.

The second stanza reflects on the passage of time, noting that "seventy summers" have passed since the birth of this child. The feet that once "wore the track" through the narrow street have since "lie[n] straight and low," a clear reference to death. Yet despite the passing of time and the death of those who once walked these streets, there remains "no lack / Of passers to and fro." This continuity of life, with new generations walking the same streets as those who have passed before them, underscores the ongoing, repetitive nature of human existence, even within the confines of the narrow street.

Greenwell’s focus then shifts to the life of the person born in the street. Their childhood, manhood, and old age all remain confined to this same narrow street, suggesting a life lived within strict physical and metaphorical boundaries. The street becomes a symbol of the limitations imposed by circumstance, whether poverty, fate, or societal constraints. The line "Beyond the narrow street / This manhood never strayed" emphasizes that the individual’s life has been bound to this small, confined space. Yet, despite this physical confinement, there is a sense of spiritual depth, as in old age, the person "sat still and prayed," engaging in a spiritual life that transcends the physical limitations of the street.

The ceaseless "tread of many feet" that flows through this life symbolizes the constant motion of the world around the individual, but it is a motion that leaves the person largely "unstirred." While others may hear the sounds of "waters'; fall" or "Wind music," the individual remains detached from these sensory experiences. This detachment suggests a life lived in stillness and contemplation, where the noise of the external world is not heard or felt as deeply as the inner life of the soul. Greenwell emphasizes the contrast between the bustling world outside and the quiet, introspective existence within.

The poem reaches its emotional climax in the fifth stanza, where Greenwell describes standing beside the bed of the dying person. The imagery of dawn breaking as the individual lies dying is poignant, symbolizing the transition between life and death, with the "night and morning" once again meeting. The "few words" that are spoken between Greenwell and the dying person are "sweet," suggesting that there is a deep connection and understanding between them, even in the face of death. This moment is infused with tenderness, as the speaker holds the dying head and shares in the quiet, sacred passage from life to death.

Greenwell does not dwell on the earthly beauty of the "fields afar" or the "grasses" that are "besprent with dewdrops rare." Instead, she focuses on the spiritual journey of the dying person, whose "rare / Rich heritage was won" despite their lack of connection to the natural world. The emphasis here is on the spiritual richness of the soul, which transcends the physical beauty of the earth. The soul, whose "day was done," did not need to claim a share in the earthly joys of the world, because it has achieved something far greater—a spiritual inheritance that cannot be measured by earthly standards.

In the final stanza, Greenwell returns to the imagery of birth, but now framed by the context of death. From the "dark and narrow street," the soul is reborn "into a world of love." This new birth is described with the same reverence as the opening lines of the poem, with the speaker urging that we "speak low" and "speak reverent" as we contemplate the mystery of death and the afterlife. The final line, "Not how they speak above, / When the night and morning meet," suggests that there is a higher, spiritual realm where the soul now resides, and where the mysteries of life and death are fully understood. Greenwell leaves the reader with the sense that while we may not fully comprehend the nature of life after death, there is a peace and beauty in the transition from earthly life to the divine.

In "When the Night and Morning Meet," Greenwell uses the narrow street as a metaphor for the limitations and struggles of human existence, but she also emphasizes the spiritual richness that can be found within those confines. Through her quiet, reflective language, Greenwell conveys the sense that both birth and death are sacred, transformative events, and that even within the narrowest confines of life, the soul is capable of transcending its physical limitations to achieve a higher spiritual state. The poem beautifully captures the tension between the earthly and the divine, and the mysterious meeting of night and morning—life and death—in the journey of the soul.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...