A lyric expresses the subjective musings of its first-person speaker1 inviting

Apuntes

A lyric expresses the subjective musings of its first-person speaker, inviting readers to ponder the perceptions and emotions expressed. The word lyric derives from the Greek word for lyre, which indicates that the earliest lyrics were performed with musical accompaniment. (This aspect of the word’s derivation is also evident in its contemporary usage referring to song lyrics.) Lyric poets typically write shorter verses, although some poets extend their length significantly. In contrast to narrative verse, a lyric typically describes a state of mind rather than an action, as Felix Schelling summarizes: “dra- matic poetry is dynamic; lyric poetry is static. Hence the simplicity, the brev- ity, and the intensity of the finest lyrical poetry” (2). Commenting on the static nature of lyric verse, Northrop Frye similarly observes, “The private poem often takes off from something that blocks normal activity, something a poet has to write poetry about instead of carrying on with ordinary experi- ence” (“Approaching” 32). From this perspective, lyrics transcend history and the passage of time, yet they also respond to the circumstances neces- sitating that their speakers unload their burden...