Charles Sangster Poetry

Charles Sangster (1822-1893) stands as a key figure in the rise of Canadian literary identity, a voice deeply entwined with the rugged landscapes and sweeping history of his homeland. In a time of national awakening, Sangster’s poetry carved out a distinctly Canadian spirit, celebrating not just the physical beauty of its wilderness, but the emerging sense of belonging and pride. Inspired by the Romantics, his work brims with the echoes of nature and the pulse of a young country finding its feet. Sangster’s verses speak not only to a personal longing but to a collective yearning for a uniquely Canadian voice.

Biography Quotes

Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 75/100

The Swallows

‘The Swallows’ unfolds as a dialogue between the first spring swallow and a speaker who pines for the freedom of a migratory bird.

As a Charles Sangster poem, 'The Swallows' exemplifies his Romantic admiration for nature, blending pastoral imagery with human emotion. The migratory bird becomes symbolic of both the renewal of spring and human yearning for freedom. Sangster’s lyrical style and use of personification reveal his contemplative connection to the natural world.

I asked the first stray swallow of the spring,
"Where hast thou been through all the winter drear?
Beneath what distant skies did'st fold thy wing,
Since thou wast with us here,

Home » Poets » Charles Sangster Poems

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links