The Giver of Stars

“The Giver of Stars” is a celebration of the joy and pleasure of emotional, intellectual, and physical relationships. The imagery is compelling as in the final lines where the poet awakens the world to the beauty she has experienced. Ecstasy is depicted in the music as well as comfort and peace.

The Giver of Stars
by Amy Lowell
from Sword Blades and Poppy Seed (1914)

Hold your soul open for my welcoming.
Let the quiet of your spirit bathe me
With its clear and rippled coolness,
That, loose-limbed and weary, I find rest,
Outstretched upon your peace, as on a bed of ivory.

Let the flickering flame of your soul play all about me,
That into my limbs may come the keenness of fire,
The life and joy of tongues of flame,
And, going out from you, tightly strung and in tune,
I may rouse the blear-eyed world,
And pour into it the beauty which you have begotten.