Christina Rossetti’s lyric poem, usually titled by its opening line, “Who Has Seen the Wind?” poses a basic query concerning the nature of the unseen and intangible. The poem makes use of the imagery of wind’s results the bending of bushes and the shaking of grasses to evoke its presence, although the wind itself stays invisible. This rhetorical approach permits the reader to know an summary idea via concrete, relatable experiences. Two stanzas, easy in language and construction, create a delicate rhythm mirroring the wind’s motion. The closing couplet solidifies the ethereal nature of the wind and introduces a religious dimension with the query of divine notion.
This work endures attributable to its accessible language and common themes. Its recognition resides within the childlike surprise it evokes, prompting contemplation concerning the unseen forces that form our world. Printed in 1872 as a part of Rossetti’s assortment, Sing-Music: A Nursery Rhyme E-book, it was supposed for kids, but its profound simplicity resonates with readers of all ages. Its exploration of religion, notion, and nature continues to spark reflection and dialogue in academic and literary settings. Its easy construction makes it superb for instructing about poetic units like imagery and personification.
