Something Childish, But Very Natural. Written In Germany by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Poem, Summary, & Analysis)

 

Something Childish, But Very Natural. Written In Germany

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

Something Childish, But Very Natural. Written In Germany

If I had but two little wings

And were a little feathery bird,

To you I'd fly, my dear!

But thoughts like these are idle things,

And I stay here.

 

But in my sleep to you I fly:

I'm always with you in my sleep!

The world is all one's own.

But then one wakes, and where am I?

All, all alone.

 

Sleep stays not, though a monarch bids:

So I love to wake ere break of day:

For though my sleep be gone,

Yet while 'tis dark, one shuts one's lids,

And still dreams on.

 

Summary

The poem opens with a whimsical longing. The speaker imagines having “two little wings” like a bird so he could fly to his beloved. This childlike fantasy is quickly tempered by reality, as the speaker admits that such thoughts are “idle things”—lovely to imagine, but ultimately impractical. He accepts that he must remain where he is.

As the poem continues, the speaker describes the kind of spontaneous, innocent happiness he longs for. He envisions a simple life with his beloved, filled with shared joy, natural beauty, and emotional closeness. This imagined life is untainted by adult concerns or worldly responsibilities. He dreams of finding “some quiet place,” away from the bustle and burdens of the real world, where they could be together in peace and harmony.

The imagery in the poem is soft and natural—there are references to flowing water, green fields, and the soothing presence of nature. The speaker desires a space that is untouched by noise or sorrow, a place where only the two of them exist. He wants to withdraw from the complexities of adulthood and enter a world where emotions are pure and connections are heartfelt and genuine.

Throughout the poem, there is a tone of yearning. The speaker craves something deeply emotional and sincere—something “childish” in its simplicity and “natural” in its truth. Yet he remains aware that this is only a dream, a fleeting idea born of innocent desire.

In the closing lines, the speaker repeats that although such dreams are beautiful, they are not real. Like a child’s fancy, they live in the mind but not in the world. He remains in his present state, grounded in reality, even as his heart reaches toward that ideal vision of love and peace.

 

Analysis in Detail

Title Analysis

The title itself is paradoxical and insightful.

“Something Childish” suggests innocence, naivety, or simplicity—perhaps something dreamy and unrealistic.

“But Very Natural” counters this by asserting that such emotions are inherently human and genuine, not silly or foolish.

Coleridge hints that even our most innocent longings are natural expressions of the soul.

 

Themes

Yearning and Desire

The speaker expresses a deep longing for emotional closeness, connection, and escape.

He wishes to transcend his physical limitations (he can't fly) and unite with someone he deeply cares for.

This desire is innocent and pure, akin to childlike love, yet profound.

 

Imagination vs. Reality

The contrast between fantasy and the constraints of real life runs through the poem.

The speaker imagines flying to his beloved, building a dream life together—but immediately labels these thoughts as “idle.”

It reflects the Romantic idea of the imagination as powerful, but acknowledges the limits of reality.

 

Innocence and Idealism

The poem idealizes a life untouched by sorrow, complication, or noise.

The speaker wants to create a world governed by pure feelings and natural beauty, much like the innocent world a child might wish for.

 

Alienation and Solitude

Despite his dreams, the speaker is alone, grounded in a place he doesn’t wish to be.

The poem subtly reflects a feeling of spiritual and emotional separation from what he truly desires.

 

Tone and Mood

The tone moves from dreamy and wistful in the beginning to melancholic and resigned by the end.

There's a gentle, soothing mood created by the natural imagery, but it's undercut by the recognition that such peace and closeness are unattainable.

 

Language and Diction

The diction is simple, lyrical, and emotional, contributing to the childlike tone.

Coleridge uses direct emotional expressions like “To you I’d fly, my dear!” which convey deep, unfiltered feeling.

Words like “quiet place,” “little path,” “fresh green,” and “streams” evoke a peaceful, pastoral setting—a Romantic ideal of nature.

 

Imagery and Symbolism

Bird/Wings: Symbolize freedom, escape, and the desire to transcend earthly limitations. But it’s a metaphor that immediately collapses—“thoughts like these are idle things”—emphasizing the gap between wish and reality.

Nature: Symbolizes purity, truth, and emotional refuge. Nature becomes the setting for his ideal relationship—quiet, green, and untroubled.

The “quiet place”: A metaphor for an emotional haven—a space where love can flourish freely, away from noise (symbolizing the outside world and adult concerns).

 

Structure and Form

The poem is lyrical and reflective, with a loose rhyme scheme and gentle rhythm.

The stanzas are fluid, supporting the poem's meditative tone.

The use of enjambment allows thoughts to flow, just like the speaker’s wandering imagination.

The structure mirrors the movement of the speaker’s thoughts—starting in fantasy, moving into emotional depth, and ending in grounded resignation.

 

Romantic Elements

Individual emotion: Deep personal feelings form the heart of the poem.

Imagination: The use of fancy and dreams reflects core Romantic ideals.

Nature as healing: Nature is a comforting, idealized space.

Longing for the ideal: A strong Romantic trait—reaching for a world that doesn’t quite exist.

 

Final Reflection

Coleridge captures something profoundly human in this short, reflective poem. He reveals how our childlike dreams and emotional instincts are natural parts of us, even if they cannot be fulfilled. The poem resonates with anyone who has felt a quiet longing for something simple, innocent, and true, only to face the sobering boundaries of reality.

It’s not just about romantic love—it’s about the universal human craving for belonging, for a return to simplicity, and for emotional refuge.