Orpheus and Other Poems

"Orpheus and Other Poems" by Edward Burrough Brownlow is a compilation of poetry from the end of the 1800's that explores love, grief, the world around us, and what it means to be human. The poems mirror the beautiful language and deep feelings during that era. Brownlow plays with classic stories like the myth of Orpheus in his stories, while also discussing seasonal changes, and his own deep thoughts. The first poem, "Orpheus," tells the sorrowful story of a musician trying to bring his lost love, Eurydice, back from the land of the dead, using detailed images of both the afterlife, and Orpheus's great sadness and resolve. Other poems titled "Dead Summer", "Autumn", and "Winter," paint pictures of how feelings change and develop over time, using sadness and thought as prominent themes. The poems' use of imagery, combined with traditional forms, shows how the poet can beautifully capture the quick-passing nature of love and life.