Stella Benson's poignant poem "The Secret Day" is a heart-wrenching reflection on the human desire to escape the turmoil of life. Written by the novelist, journalist, and suffragist in 1918, just before the end of World War I, the poem is a powerful exploration of the fragility of hope.
Benson's speaker has built a "secret day," a idyllic world she desires to create, a refuge from the uncertainty of tomorrow. She constructs this day with meticulous care, planting flowers, painting peace on the sky, and creating majestic seas that soothe her soul. This sanctuary is not just a physical place but a state of mind – a haven from the storms of life.
The poem's use of anaphora, where the speaker repeats phrases like "Lest joy come not again, lest peace return no more," emphasizes the urgency of finding solace in this artificial day. The imagery is vivid and evocative, conjuring up images of English coastal landscapes and the gentle beauty of flowers blooming at her feet.
However, beneath its tranquil surface, the poem reveals a deeper vulnerability. Benson's speaker admits to a rift with her "Secret Friend," which has left her feeling isolated and alone. The capitalization of this term, often seen as childish, undermines the speaker's emotional authenticity. It is unclear whether she has chosen this device to mask her fear or genuinely believes it is necessary.
Despite its flaws, the poem remains a powerful expression of human longing. Benson's confessional tone is unflinchingly honest, and the simplicity of her language lends an air of sincerity to her words. The use of hexameter lines adds to the poem's intensity, creating a sense of urgency that propels the reader through its pages.
As the speaker ultimately realizes that her sanctuary is fleeting, she constructs a "wall" against tomorrow, rather than a house. This realization tugs at the heartstrings, highlighting the fragility of hope and the human desire for control in the face of uncertainty.
Benson's poem may have been overlooked during her lifetime, but its raw emotion and unflinching honesty have earned it recognition in later anthologies, including Philip Larkin's 1972 Oxford Anthology of 20th Century English Verse. As a testament to the enduring power of poetry, "The Secret Day" remains a poignant reminder of the human need for solace and connection in times of turmoil.
Benson's speaker has built a "secret day," a idyllic world she desires to create, a refuge from the uncertainty of tomorrow. She constructs this day with meticulous care, planting flowers, painting peace on the sky, and creating majestic seas that soothe her soul. This sanctuary is not just a physical place but a state of mind – a haven from the storms of life.
The poem's use of anaphora, where the speaker repeats phrases like "Lest joy come not again, lest peace return no more," emphasizes the urgency of finding solace in this artificial day. The imagery is vivid and evocative, conjuring up images of English coastal landscapes and the gentle beauty of flowers blooming at her feet.
However, beneath its tranquil surface, the poem reveals a deeper vulnerability. Benson's speaker admits to a rift with her "Secret Friend," which has left her feeling isolated and alone. The capitalization of this term, often seen as childish, undermines the speaker's emotional authenticity. It is unclear whether she has chosen this device to mask her fear or genuinely believes it is necessary.
Despite its flaws, the poem remains a powerful expression of human longing. Benson's confessional tone is unflinchingly honest, and the simplicity of her language lends an air of sincerity to her words. The use of hexameter lines adds to the poem's intensity, creating a sense of urgency that propels the reader through its pages.
As the speaker ultimately realizes that her sanctuary is fleeting, she constructs a "wall" against tomorrow, rather than a house. This realization tugs at the heartstrings, highlighting the fragility of hope and the human desire for control in the face of uncertainty.
Benson's poem may have been overlooked during her lifetime, but its raw emotion and unflinching honesty have earned it recognition in later anthologies, including Philip Larkin's 1972 Oxford Anthology of 20th Century English Verse. As a testament to the enduring power of poetry, "The Secret Day" remains a poignant reminder of the human need for solace and connection in times of turmoil.
I mean, come on... 1918 was like, a really tough time for everyone. You'd think Stella Benson would've known better than to try to escape reality with some flowery fantasy 
. I get it, hope is fragile and all that jazz, but the way she writes about this "Secret Day" is just kinda... naive? 
I mean, who uses capital letters for their inner friend's name? It sounds like a 5-year-old's diary or something 
. But at the same time, you can totally feel her vulnerability and emotional authenticity, which is still super powerful despite the cheesy moments 
.
. But at the same time, I'm really feeling the vibe of this poem and how it captures that sense of longing for something more 
... maybe we're just reading into it too much? 
And honestly, I kinda love the simplicity of the language, it's like Benson is speaking straight to your soul 
. So yeah, let's just say "The Secret Day" is a bit of both – amazing and meh at the same time 
. I mean, who hasn't felt the urge to escape reality and create their own little world, right? It's so beautiful how she describes her "secret day" as a refuge from the uncertainty of life, and how she puts in all this effort to make it perfect 
. And I have to admit, the part about the rift with her "Secret Friend" makes me feel a bit vulnerable 
. But at the same time, I think that's what makes the poem so relatable - we've all been there, feeling like we're not good enough or that we need someone (or something) to hold onto. Anyway, I'm glad this poem has earned its recognition and I'll definitely be reading more of Stella Benson's work 
.
it feels so real and immersive, like you can smell the flowers and hear the waves 
. The way she describes her "Secret Friend" making her feel isolated and alone... it's so relatable. And I love how the simplicity of her language makes you feel all the feels 
. Anyway, I think "The Secret Day" is a total masterpiece and should be studied in lit class ASAP 
but in a good way, you know? It's like she's reminding us to appreciate the little things while we can. And that final line about her building a wall against tomorrow instead of a house... I'm literally getting teary-eyed over here 
. but what if that sanctuary is just an illusion? what if we're trying too hard to control our hopes and dreams instead of letting them unfold naturally?
️ you know I was reading this poem "The Secret Day" by Stella Benson and it really got me thinking about how we cope with life's stress 
. I mean, who hasn't fantasized about escaping to a perfect little world 
? But what I found interesting is that the speaker in the poem is trying to create this sanctuary but it's not just physical, it's mental too 
. And then there's this vulnerability beneath the surface, feeling isolated and alone 
. But the poem is telling us that even our escapes can be fragile and fleeting 
. Anyway, it's definitely given me something to think about 
.
The poem is soooo hauntingly beautiful, its emotional weight still hits me hard even after reading it 
Interesting how the simplicity of the language makes it feel super sincere & honest... 
I love how the speaker's vulnerability shines through despite her trying to create this "secret day" sanctuary - it's like she's sharing her darkest fears 
. It feels like she's trying too hard to find solace in a world that's already messed up 
. But at the same time, I guess it's relatable on some level... we all need a little escape from reality sometimes 
. And that last line about building a wall instead of a house is pretty profound 
. Maybe I'm just too skeptical, but I'll stick to my modern poetry for now 
And I get why she uses "Secret Friend" like that's her way of dealin' with her emotions but also kinda childish lol Anyway, what I think is really powerful about this poem is how it shows us the importance of bein honest with ourselves and each other about our feelings. It's like, we all need a little bit of solace sometimes, right? 
. It's like, we need to learn to lean on each other and find true connection, you know?
. The way she describes her secret day as a physical place, but also a state of mind, it's so relatable 
. It's like she's saying, "Hey, I can control this part of my life, even if everything else feels out of control" 
.
#PoetryLover #StellaBenson #TheSecretDay
! I mean, who hasn't felt like they're escaping reality into their own little world sometimes? It's so relatable to when you're studying for exams and just want to create your own peaceful sanctuary