# VII: My Love Is in a Light Attire explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James Joyce.

## What happens

The narrator describes his beloved walking gracefully among apple trees in a spring landscape, where the winds play and she moves slowly, bending to her shadow on the grass, then lightly holding up her dress under a pale blue sky.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Longing

The narrator's tender depiction of the beloved in a pastoral spring setting conveys deep affection and admiration.

### Nature and Mood

The apple trees, gay winds, young leaves, and pale blue cup of sky create a joyful, serene mood that mirrors the beloved's grace.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

Observes and describes the beloved's movements in the spring orchard.

### Beloved

Walks in a light attire among apple trees, bending to her shadow and holding up her dress.

## Key lines

> My love is in a light attire Among the apple-trees, Where the gay winds do most desire To run in companies.

My beloved is dressed lightly and stands among the apple trees, where the playful winds eagerly gather and race together.

_Introduces the beloved in a lively natural setting._

> My love goes slowly, bending to Her shadow on the grass;

My beloved walks slowly, leaning down toward her own shadow cast on the grass.

_Highlights the beloved's graceful, contemplative movement._

> My love goes lightly, holding up Her dress with dainty hand.

My beloved steps lightly, lifting her dress with a delicate hand.

_Emphasizes the beloved's elegance and carefree demeanor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_11_se/chapters/vii-my-love-is-in-a-light-attire
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_11_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_11_se/chapters