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Poem
November 5, 1873
Watertown Republican
Watertown, Jefferson County, Dodge County, Wisconsin
What is this article about?
A narrative poem by Edward Ellis about a young woman's rose petal divination predicting marriage timing ('This year—Next Year—Sometime—Never'), which tragically foreshadows her love story ending in untimely death before the wedding, leaving hearts in sorrow.
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Full Text
This Year—Next Year—Sometime—Never.
BY EDWARD ELLIS.
"This year—next year—sometime—never."
Gaily did she tell:
Rose leaf after rose leaf ever
Plucked round and fell.
"This year," and she blushed demurely;
"That would be too soon,
He could wait a little, surely—
"Tis already June!"
Laughingly said she.
"For when once a girl is married,
No more is she free,"
"Sometime"—that is vague, long waiting
Many a trouble brings;
Twixt delaying and debating,
Love might use his wings.
"Never"—the word of evil omen,
And she sighed, "Heigh-ho!"
"Tis the hardest lot for women
Love through life to go.
For that year he came,
Won her love, and fondly pressed her
Soon to change her name.
"Next year"—early in the May-time
Was to be the day:
Looked she sweetly toward that gay time
Gleaming far away.
"Sometime"—he who watched beside her,
Shadows o'er her life
Saw creeping on, knew that denied her
Was the name of wife.
"Never"—crowned with bridal flowers
Came that merry spring;
Ere those rich and radiant hours,
She had taken wing.
"This year" hearts are bowed by sorrow.
"This next year"—some forget;
"Sometime" comes that golden morrow
"Never" earth saw yet.
BY EDWARD ELLIS.
"This year—next year—sometime—never."
Gaily did she tell:
Rose leaf after rose leaf ever
Plucked round and fell.
"This year," and she blushed demurely;
"That would be too soon,
He could wait a little, surely—
"Tis already June!"
Laughingly said she.
"For when once a girl is married,
No more is she free,"
"Sometime"—that is vague, long waiting
Many a trouble brings;
Twixt delaying and debating,
Love might use his wings.
"Never"—the word of evil omen,
And she sighed, "Heigh-ho!"
"Tis the hardest lot for women
Love through life to go.
For that year he came,
Won her love, and fondly pressed her
Soon to change her name.
"Next year"—early in the May-time
Was to be the day:
Looked she sweetly toward that gay time
Gleaming far away.
"Sometime"—he who watched beside her,
Shadows o'er her life
Saw creeping on, knew that denied her
Was the name of wife.
"Never"—crowned with bridal flowers
Came that merry spring;
Ere those rich and radiant hours,
She had taken wing.
"This year" hearts are bowed by sorrow.
"This next year"—some forget;
"Sometime" comes that golden morrow
"Never" earth saw yet.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Song
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
Death Mourning
What keywords are associated?
Rose Petal Divination
Tragic Love
Marriage Delay
Death Before Wedding
Fortune Telling
What entities or persons were involved?
By Edward Ellis.
Poem Details
Title
This Year—Next Year—Sometime—Never.
Author
By Edward Ellis.
Subject
Rose Petal Fortune Telling On Marriage Timing
Form / Style
Rhymed Stanzas In Ballad Meter
Key Lines
"This Year—Next Year—Sometime—Never."
Gaily Did She Tell:
Rose Leaf After Rose Leaf Ever
Plucked Round And Fell.
"Never"—Crowned With Bridal Flowers
Came That Merry Spring;
Ere Those Rich And Radiant Hours,
She Had Taken Wing.
"This Year" Hearts Are Bowed By Sorrow.
"This Next Year"—Some Forget;
"Sometime" Comes That Golden Morrow
"Never" Earth Saw Yet.