By the Aurelian Wall, and Other Elegies

"By the Aurelian Wall, and Other Elegies" by Bliss Carman is a compilation of late 19th-century poems. The poems contemplate nature, death, and what it means to be human, frequently thinking about the lives and impacts of well-known people. Carman uses beautiful language and strong images to create a feeling of yearning and deep thought, encouraging readers to ponder how short life and beauty are. The collection includes poems honoring historical individuals like John Keats, Richard Lovelace, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The collection also expresses sadness about life’s fleeting moments. The poems create a vivid range of emotions, reflecting on the relationship between people and the environment. Carman's expressive style brings readers into his thoughts, using nature to frame philosophical questions. The elegies communicate loss alongside the lasting beauty, promoting a thoughtful look at life's grand adventure and the memories passed down.