Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a classic poem entitled, "A Psalm of Life." Most people consider it to be a timeless work of art, for one can still relate to the central theme. It was written in the Romantic Era of American Literature, where salvation through nature was the primary theme for most Romantic poets. Longfellow's unique and genius use of metaphors, similes, and personification give "A Psalm of Life" its fascinating greatness. Longfellow's use of figurative language allows the reader to envision his words as actions rather than pictures.

The first sentence, "Tell me not in mournful numbers" draws one into the poem by giving one a visualization of a group of gloomy, pessimistic people regarding life as a melancholy passing. It sets the mood and tone for the rest of the poem--a dreary and gray, even tragic, tale. In the following sentence, "Life is but an empty...