What though green leaves only witness
Such pact as is made once only; what matter
That owl voice sole ‘yes’, while cows utter
Low moos of approve; let sun surpliced in brightness
Stand stock still to laud these mated ones
Whose stark act all coming double luck joins.

Couched daylong in cloisters of stinging nettle
They lie, cut-grass assaulting each separate sense
With savor; coupled so, pure paragons of constance,
This pair seek single state from that dual battle.
Now speak some sacrament to parry scruple
For wedlock wrought within love’s proper chapel.

Call here with flying colors all watchful birds
To people the twigged aisles; lead babel tongues
Of animals to choir: ‘Look what thresh of wings
Wields guard of honor over these!’ Starred with words
Let night bless that luck-rooted mead of clover
Where, bedded like angels, two burn one in fever.

From this holy day on, all pollen blown
Shall strew broadcast so rare a seed on wind
That every breath, thus teeming, set the land
Sprouting fruit, flowers, children most fair in legion
To slay spawn of dragon’s teeth: speaking this promise,
Let flesh be knit, and each step hence go famous.

“Wreath for a Bridal” by Sylvia Plath is a poem that follows a specific structure and form, which helps to convey its themes and ideas effectively.

Firstly, the poem consists of five stanzas, each containing six lines. This regular structure creates a sense of balance and symmetry, providing a framework for the poem’s exploration of the themes of love, marriage, and nature.

Each stanza follows a similar pattern, with the first four lines presenting images and ideas related to the wedding ceremony and the couple’s relationship, while the last two lines offer reflections or conclusions based on those images.

Additionally, the poem employs rhyme and rhythm to create a musical quality that enhances its emotional impact. While the rhyme scheme may vary slightly from stanza to stanza, there is a consistent use of end rhyme throughout the poem. This helps to create a sense of unity and cohesion, tying the various elements of the poem together.

In terms of form, “Wreath for a Bridal” can be classified as a lyric poem. Lyric poetry is characterized by its expression of thoughts and emotions in a musical and personal manner. In this poem, Sylvia Plath uses lyrical language and imagery to evoke the feelings of love and celebration associated with a wedding ceremony.

The poem also contains elements of symbolism, with various images and objects representing deeper meanings. For example, the “green leaves” that serve as witnesses to the wedding may symbolize the enduring and ever-present force of nature, while the “stinging nettle” and “cut grass” represent the challenges and discomforts that the couple may face in their relationship.

Furthermore, the poem makes use of personification, metaphor, and other literary devices to create vivid and evocative imagery. For instance, the sun is described as “surpliced in brightness,” suggesting a sense of divine blessing and approval for the couple’s union.

Overall, the structure and form of “Wreath for a Bridal” contribute to its effectiveness as a poem. Through its use of regular stanzas, rhyme, rhythm, and lyrical language, the poem captures the beauty and significance of a wedding ceremony while also exploring deeper themes of love, commitment, and the natural world.