I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.
I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?
Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.
The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1902) | Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)
Suggestions
- Memorize the poem.
- One easy way to encourage memorization is to copy the poem one stanza per day.
- Draw or illustrate each stanza or line.
- Compare and contrast the arrow and the song.
Additional Resources
Free History Studies: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Many resources and suggestions for further study.
Poetry for Young People: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
While we have enjoyed this illustrated series as an introduction to various poets — Longfellow being a favorite — others might object to the sometimes-abridged versions of some poems appearing inside. (Currently only $0.99 for the Kindle version.)
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