The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 06 Poems from the Breakfast Table Series

"The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 06" by Oliver Wendell Holmes is a compilation of poems that uses observations of nature, human emotions, and society to promote introspection and celebrate the beauty of the world. The collection includes poems that speak to a myriad of subjects and sentiments, prompting self-reflection and observations about life. For example, "The Chambered Nautilus" focuses on the concepts of growth and time through a metaphor of a sea creature. In contrast, a poem like "Sun and Shadow" reflects on the dueling natures of light and darkness to give insights into life’s opposing forces. "The Deacon's Masterpiece" uses humor to tell the story of a logically designed carriage to teach the reader a moral, while simultaneously giving them a sense of entertainment. Generally, the collection uses rich imagery and thought-provoking ideas to bring readers into Holmes’ poetic world.