Aubade

“Alba Belingalis” by Ezra Pound

Ezra Pound was an expatriate American poet and critic widely credited with helping to create and to advance the principles of modernism. Pound wrote this translation of “Phebi claro nondum orto iubare,” a Latin-Provencal poem from the 10th century that is widely recognized as the oldest aubade, or dawn song; it appears in various volumes of Pound’s early poems.

“The Sun Rising” by John Donne

John Donne, a 17th century metaphysical English poet, wrote love poetry until he took holy orders and began to write religious poetry. In “The Sun Rising,” the speaker scolds the sun for interrupting him and his lover at an inopportune moment. 

“Aubade with Bread for the Sparrows” by Oliver de la Paz

American poet Oliver de la Paz was born in the Philippines and raised in Oregon; he currently teaches creative writing. In this aubade, the speaker celebrates the love that humans receive from nature—specifically from the birds that regularly appear to bring the speaker of the poem a feeling of delight.