Welcome to Poem of the Day –Demain, dès l’aube by Victor Hugo
“Demain, dès l’aube” is a poignant poem by Victor Hugo that explores themes of love, loss, and mourning. The speaker expresses a deep sense of longing and sorrow as they prepare to journey to the grave of a loved one. The poem’s imagery captures the beauty of the natural world, contrasting it with the speaker’s inner grief.
Demain, dès l’aube Poem
Demain, dès l’aube, à l’heure où blanchit la campagne,
Je partirai. Vois-tu, je sais que tu m’attends.
J’irai par la forêt, j’irai par la montagne.
Je ne puis demeurer loin de toi plus longtemps.
Je marcherai les yeux fixés sur mes pensées,
Sans rien voir au dehors, sans entendre aucun bruit,
Seul, inconnu, le dos courbé, les mains croisées,
Triste, et le jour pour moi sera comme la nuit.
Je ne regarderai ni l’or du soir qui tombe,
Ni les voiles au loin descendant vers Harfleur,
Et quand j’arriverai, je mettrai sur ta tombe
Un bouquet de houx vert et de bruyère en fleur.
Demain, dès l’aube Poem Explanation
The poem begins with the speaker vowing to travel at dawn to pay homage to their deceased loved one. Despite the beauty of the landscape, the speaker’s focus remains on their sorrow, underscoring the profound impact of loss.
Structure and Form
“Demain, dès l’aube” consists of three quatrains with a regular rhyme scheme (ABAB) and an alternating meter, creating a rhythmic flow that reflects the speaker’s contemplative state.
Imagery
The imagery evokes a sense of tranquility in nature, with descriptions of the dawn and the journey, juxtaposed against the heaviness of the speaker’s heart. The contrast highlights the enduring nature of grief amidst the world’s beauty.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Hugo’s poem is a heartfelt tribute that captures the enduring pain of loss, illustrating how love persists even in absence.
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