Summer Evening Poem

Bryant's Summer Evening reflects life's cycles, time's passage, and daily beauty.

One glad day is added now to childhood's merry days.

Short Poems & Quotes | Poems | Poems About The Seasons | Summer Poems | Summer Evening Poem

Updated December 27, 2024, by Catherine Pulsifer

William Cullen Bryant's poem Summer Evening paints a picture of the beauty and meaning found in a single summer day. He takes us through moments of life—new beginnings, quiet endings, and everything in between. This poem gently reminds us of the joys and challenges that each day brings, and how time moves forward no matter what. It encourages us to appreciate the little things in life and find peace in its natural rhythm.

Bryant’s words inspire us to reflect on how we spend our days and cherish the moments that make them special.

Summer Evening

Poet: William Cullen Bryant

The summer day has closed; the sun is set:
Well have they done their office, those bright hours,
The latest of whose train goes softly out
In the red west. The green blade of the ground
Has risen, and herds have cropped it; the young twig
Has spread its plaited tissues to the sun;
Flowers of the garden and the waste have blown
And withered; seeds have fallen upon the soil
From bursting cells, and, in their graves, await
Their resurrection. Insects from the pools
Have filled the air a while with humming wings,
That now are stilled forever; painted moths
Have wandered the blue sky, and died again;
The mother-bird hath broken for her brood
Their prison shell, or shoved them from their nest,
Plumed for their earliest flight. In bright alcoves,
In woodland cottages with barky walls,
In noisome cells of the tumultuous town,
Mothers have clasped with joy the newborn babe;
Graves by the lonely forest, by the shore
Of rivers and of ocean, by the ways
Of the thronged city, have been hollowed out,
And filled, and closed. This day hath parted friends
That ne'er before were parted; it hath knit
New friendships; it hath seen the maiden plight
Her faith, and trust her peace to him who long
Hath wooed; and it hath heard, from lips which late
Were eloquent of love, the first harsh word,
That told the wedded one her peace was flown.
Farewell to the sweet sunshine! One glad day
Is added now to childhood's merry days,
And one calm day to those of quiet age;
Still the fleet hours run on; and, as I lean,
Amid the thickening- darkness, lamps are lit
By those who watch the dead and those who twine
Flowers for the bride. The mother from the eyes
Of her sick infant shades the painful light,
And sadly listens to his quick-drawn breath.

Key Messages from this poem:

The Cycle of Life Continues
The poem beautifully illustrates the rhythm of life, highlighting how every day holds moments of growth and decay. From seeds sprouting to insects fading, it reminds us that life is an ongoing cycle of beginnings and endings.

Joy and Sorrow Intertwined
Bryant paints a vivid picture of life’s contrasts—joyful events like births and marriages coexist with the sorrow of goodbyes and loss. This duality reflects the balance of life urging us to accept and cherish both the highs and lows.

The Passage of Time is Constant
The poem underscores the inevitability of time moving forward. Whether it’s a child’s playful day or the quiet reflection of age, the fleeting nature of each day calls us to make the most of the present and find peace in its passing.

Bryant’s words serve as a gentle reminder that life’s journey is as much about appreciating the fleeting beauty of the moment as it is about embracing the inevitable changes that time brings.

Related:

Life Journey Poems - Just like Summer Evening reflects on life’s moments, these poems explore the ups and downs of our journeys, inspiring us to embrace every step along the way.

Gone Is Summer - If you love the reflections in Summer Evening, you’ll enjoy these poems that capture the bittersweet beauty of summer’s end and the memories it leaves behind.

Poems About the Change of Seasons - Summer Evening reminds us of life’s transitions, and these poems celebrate the beauty and meaning found in the changing seasons around us.

Quotes About Summer - Celebrate the joys of summer with these uplifting quotes that capture the warmth and wonder of the season, just like Bryant’s poem does.

Poems About Sunset - The vivid imagery of the setting sun in Summer Evening connects perfectly with these poems that honor the beauty of sunsets and the peace they bring.

Poems About Beauty - If you enjoyed the way Summer Evening finds beauty in life’s details, you’ll love these poems that celebrate the beauty all around us.

Enjoy Life Quotes - Like summer, life passes quickly, enjoy each day! Let these quotes remind you of this.