Review of "Winter Sleep" by Edith Matilda Thomas

"Winter Sleep" by Edith Matilda Thomas was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on January 26, 2014.  A link to the poem may be found here:

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21244?utm_source=PAD%3A+Winter+Sleep+by+Edith+Matilda+Thomas&utm_campaign=poemaday_012614&utm_medium=email

Edith Matilda Thomas (1854 - 1925) (pictured) was recognized by The New York Times as "one of the most distinguished American poets."  She published nine poetry collections in her lifetime, and an additional collection was published posthumously.  Her poetry was championed and inspired by fellow poet Helen Hunt Jackson.  Additional biographical information about Thomas may be found here:  http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/edith-m-thomas.

Helen Hunt Jackson (1830 - 1885) was a poet and Native American rights activist.  Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, she formed a lasting friendship with fellow poet Emily Dickinson.  Additional biographical information about Jackson may be found here:  http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/helen-hunt-jackson.

"Winter Sleep" is comprised of four quatrains that follow an abba cddc &c rhyme scheme.  Thomas' use of anaphora gives her poem a driving, unrelenting quality; this quality is similar to that of winter, aging, and death.  At the same time, the poem expresses a desire for youth, renewal, and spring.