Look back with longing eyes and know that I will follow,
Lift me up in your love as a light wind lifts a swallow,
Let our flight be far in sun or windy rain—
BUT WHAT IF I HEARD MY FIRST LOVE CALLING ME AGAIN?
Hold me on your heart as the brave sea holds the foam,
Take me far away to the hills that hide your home;
Peace shall thatch the roof and love shall latch the door—
BUT WHAT IF I HEARD MY FIRST LOVE CALLING ME ONCE MORE?
Love Poem by Sara Teasdale
Meaning of the Poem ‘The Flight’ by Sara Teasdale
Sara Teasdale’s ‘The Flight’ is a poignant exploration of love, commitment, and the haunting power of past attachments. The speaker longs to surrender completely to a new love, imagining a life of closeness, freedom, and shared peace. The imagery of flight evokes liberation and joy, while the descriptions of home suggest comfort and emotional safety.
Yet, each romantic vision is interrupted by a lingering doubt: “But what if I heard my first love calling me again?” This refrain reveals an unresolved inner conflict. No matter how promising or tender the new love may be, the memory of the first love continues to echo with irresistible force, threatening to pull her back emotionally or spiritually.
Ultimately, ‘The Flight’ captures the fragile balance between the desire to move forward and the difficulty of releasing the past. It speaks to the enduring impact of a first love and the uncertainty it can cast over even the deepest new bonds.
