It would be almost impossible to glance at “Easter Wings” by George Herbert and not question its distinctive meter. I gravitated towards this poem because of the swells of each section of the poem, almost acting like waves in the sea. The poem’s title is targeted and distinctive. We first see the word “Easter”, which is arguably the most common symbol to address renewal and rebirth. The word “Wings” follows — which could be analyzed as a connection to the notorious wings of a phoenix bird, whose renewal allowed it to rise from the ashes. This combination creates a distinct message, as if Herbert is shouting at his readers to understand his poem’s purpose. The first line begins on a high, worshipping the Lord, who created men in “wealth and [abundance]”. Then we see a shift with one word — the infamous “Though”! This word creates a tone change, indicating the fall of mankind and the fall of the utopia God created. As man, the Lord, or both “decays” (line 3), the words per line also begin to “decay” (thin out), and readers are able to visually understand the loss represented in the poem. As the poem ages, a pattern emerges. The swells of the poem coincide with the present tone changes as the narrator addresses his emotion about his faith and about the history of the Lord. In the shortest (and most melancholy) lines, there is a repetitional phrase. Lines 5-6 read “Most poor: / With thee” and lines 15-16 read “Most thin. / With thee”. The first segment is referencing the Lord, and the second segment is referencing the narrator, but both end with the phrase “With thee”. This line has so much power in the context of the poem, especially because this line’s thinness should work as a depressing line. Yet it is the opposite; it is the epitome of hope, marking the point where the poem and the story begin to show happiness. Herbert uses “With thee” to say that to have faith in the Lord is to have an unbreakable connection with a higher power. This supporter is able to bring his followers out of the darkest of paths and reverse the “decaying” process in order to be at peace with oneself. We can see this fluctuation (longer lines/euphoric moments to shorter lines/moments of dismay) a total of 4 times — which I believe to be a perfect representation of the feelings of rebirth and deterioration that Herbert is discussing. The wavering of emotions in this poem are clear, yet this conflict marks for a more beautiful ending when the narrator “fixes his wings” (19) and “combine” with the Lord (16-17) in order to symbolically fly. The narrator even recognizes his struggles, saying that his “affliction[s]” will only advance his flight. We can see the connection of wings and birds from the title of the poem, which wraps up the message and makes this emotional poem end on a lovely note.