# A Rondeau of College Rhymes explained — Poetry > Chapter companion for Poetry by Henry van Dyke Jr.. ## What happens The poem reflects on the light, nostalgic quality of college rhymes, which evoke the innocent dreams and carefree days of youth spent away from lectures, wandering through nature. The poet acknowledges the lack of high artistic ambition but hopes that any lingering feeling or fancy, offered to Alma Mater, may be redeemed by the touch of Nature. ## Themes in this chapter ### Nature and Divine Beauty The poem references 'flowery mead and flowing stream' and the 'touch of Nature' as a redeeming force. ### Grief and Memory The poem is a nostalgic look back at college days, treating the rhymes as 'little ghosts of love’s young dream' and offering them to Alma Mater. ## Character check-ins ### Unknown The speaker reflects on college rhymes and youthful memories. ## Key lines > Our college rhymes⁠—how light they seem, Like little ghosts of love’s young dream Our college poems appear trivial, like faint memories of youthful love. _The poet introduces the rhymes as insubstantial remnants of youthful passion._ > There’s nothing here, in form or theme, Of thought sublime or art supreme These poems lack profound ideas or masterful artistry. _The poet humbly admits the rhymes are not great literature._ > Yet if, perchance, a slender beam Of feeling’s glow or fancy’s gleam Still lingers in the lines we lay At Alma Mater’s feet to-day, The touch of Nature may redeem Our college rhymes. But if a small spark of genuine emotion or imagination remains in these verses we offer to our alma mater, then nature's influence might still make them worthwhile. _The poet hopes that any authentic feeling or imagination, combined with nature, can give value to the rhymes._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/a-rondeau-of-college-rhymes - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters