Velvet Shoes
By Elinor Wylie
Let us walk in the white snow
In a soundless space
With footsteps quiet and slow,
At a tranquil pace,
Under veils of white lace.I shall go shod in silk,
And you in wool,
White as white cow’s milk,
More beautiful
Than the breast of a gull.We shall walk through the still town
In a windless peace;
We shall step upon white down,
Upon silver fleece,
Upon softer than these.We shall walk in velvet shoes:
Wherever we go
Silence will fall like dews
On white silence below.
We shall walk in the snow.
Summary of the Poem “Velvet Shoes”
- The Essence of “Velvet Shoes”: Elinor Wylie’s “Velvet Shoes,” first published in 1921, is a beautifully evocative poem that captures a longing for peaceful intimacy and a harmonious connection with nature. It portrays a couple walking through a serene winter landscape, their movements gentle and unhurried, their presence almost ethereal. The poem is more than a walk in the snow; it is a meditation on quiet love, undisturbed beauty, and a yearning for a world where peace prevails.
- “Velvet Shoes” as a Representation of Love and Tranquility: The poem invites a lover to join in a shared journey into hushed serenity. The speaker envisions a tranquil walk through the snow, emphasizing quiet footsteps and deliberate slowness. The contrasting materials of their footwear—silk for the speaker, wool for her companion—highlight their individuality within the shared experience. This gentle walk is not merely physical; it is a symbolic journey into a realm of undisturbed peace and enduring affection.
- Major Themes in “Velvet Shoes”: The central themes are nature’s beauty, the serene stillness of winter, and the depth of loving connection. Wylie creates a world free from harshness or disruption, prioritizing calmness and tenderness. The poem celebrates the power of nature to provide solace and a space for genuine connection. The winter landscape is presented as enchanting and inviting, providing a backdrop for the lovers’ shared experience. Walking in “velvet shoes” symbolizes a desire to move through the world with grace, leaving no trace of disturbance and preserving the inherent peace of the natural world.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “Velvet Shoes”
Elinor Wylie masterfully employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem’s imagery, musicality, and emotional impact. These techniques work together to create a sensory experience for the reader, drawing them into the poem’s tranquil world.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds, such as the ‘e’ in “feet,” “quiet,” and “slow,” adds to the poem’s musicality and creates a soothing effect.
- Alliteration: The repetition of the initial ‘s’ sound in “soundless space” draws attention to these particular words and reinforces the sense of stillness.
- Anaphora: Although not a strict anaphora, the repeated “Upon” at the beginning of consecutive lines in the third stanza—“Upon white down,” “Upon silver fleece,” “Upon softer than these”—emphasizes the luxurious texture and softness of the winter landscape.
“We shall step upon white down,
Upon silver fleece,
Upon softer than these.”
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds in “Silence will fall like dews” creates a sense of cohesion and rhythm, reinforcing the poem’s focus on quietude.
- Enjambment: Wylie uses enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next—to create a flowing rhythm and to build anticipation. For example, “Wherever we go / Silence will fall like dews / On white silence below” gives a sense of continuous, unbroken peace.
“Wherever we go
Silence will fall like dews
On white silence below.”
- Imagery: The poem is rich in imagery, appealing to the reader’s senses. Phrases like “white snow,” “white down,” and “silver fleece” create vivid visual images. The descriptions convey not only what the couple sees but also what they feel—the softness of the snow and the quietude of the town.
- Metaphor: The opening line, “Let us walk in the white snow / In a soundless space,” employs metaphor. The “soundless space” is not a literal place but represents a state of peaceful isolation and tranquility.
- Simile: Wylie uses simile to create a point of comparison. The line “White as white cow’s milk” explicitly compares the color of the wool to the purity of milk, highlighting the pristine beauty of the winter landscape.
“White as white cow’s milk,
More beautiful
Than the breast of a gull.”
- Symbolism: The “white snow” symbolizes purity, peace, and a fresh start. The “velvet shoes” themselves symbolize a desire to move through the world with grace and gentleness, leaving no disturbance in their wake. They represent a deliberate choice to prioritize peace and tranquility.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “Velvet Shoes”
Beyond literary devices, Wylie skillfully employs a range of poetic techniques to shape the poem’s form, rhythm, and musicality.
- End Rhyme: The poem’s end rhyme pattern is not strictly ABAB; instead, it features paired rhymes such as “snow” with “slow” and “space” with “pace.” This pairing creates a gentle musicality without a rigid scheme.
- Quintain: Each stanza of “Velvet Shoes” consists of five lines, a poetic form known as a quintain. This consistent structure contributes to the poem’s overall sense of balance and harmony.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem’s rhyme scheme varies from stanza to stanza, but it frequently uses paired rhymes to reinforce the theme of peace and tranquility.
- Stanza: The poem is structured into four distinct stanzas, each developing a particular aspect of the central theme. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the desire for a peaceful walk. The second focuses on the details of their attire. The third describes the luxurious textures of the landscape, and the final stanza reinforces the idea of quietude and lasting peace.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines offer a beautiful expression of longing for peace and intimacy, perfect for expressing heartfelt emotions:
“Let us walk in the white snow
In a soundless space
With footsteps quiet and slow,
At a tranquil pace,
Under veils of white lace.”