A Song

by Paul Lawrence Dunbar

Thou art the soul of a summer’s day,
Thou art the breath of the rose.
But the summer is fled
And the rose is dead
Where are they gone, who knows, who knows?

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Question
Use the poem to answer the question.

In 1–2 sentences, explain a conclusion that can be drawn about the poem based on its structure.

1 answer

The poem's structure, characterized by its rhythmic pattern and question format, illustrates a sense of longing and contemplation about the transient nature of beauty and life's fleeting moments. The repeated inquiries at the end emphasize uncertainty and the inevitability of loss.