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What is the poem She Came and Went by James Russell Lowell talking about?

The poem "She Came and Went" by James Russell Lowell is a reflection on the fleetingness of love and beauty. It is a bittersweet meditation on the joy and sorrow of love, as well as the transience of life itself. The poem begins by describing a speaker's encounter with a woman who is the embodiment of beauty and grace. The speaker is immediately smitten with her, and they fall in love quickly and deeply. However, their happiness is short-lived, as the woman falls ill and dies. The speaker is left to grieve the loss of his beloved, and the poem ends with him reflecting on the fragility of life and the impermanence of love.

Throughout the poem, Lowell uses imagery and symbolism to convey the speaker's emotions. The woman is described as a "vision of delight" and a "dream of heaven," while death is personified as a "grim reaper." The poem is also full of references to nature, as the speaker uses the beauty of the natural world to contrast the fleetingness of human life.

"She Came and Went" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complex emotions of love, loss, and grief. It is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we love.

Poetry

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