Leigh Hunt's "Jenny Kissed Me" a Discussion of the Poem

Jenny kissed me when we met,
Jumping from the chair she sat in;
Time, you thief, who love to get
Sweets into your list, put that in:

Say Im weary, say Im sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say Im growing old, but add
Jenny kissed me.

Leigh Hunt was a 19th century English essayist, critic, Poet, and publisher. Though not a currently renowned Poet, Hunts Jenny Kissed Me has been widely enjoyed and often quoted for nearly two centuries. However, Hunt lived during an age of English Romanticism and was influential in the lives of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, and John Keats. He was also contemporary with Samuel Coleridge, William Wordsworth, and Charles Dickens. Such great company has given Leigh Hunt a distinguished status.

About Jenny Kissed Me

In 1835 Leigh Hunt and his large family moved to Chelsea in London and became neighbor to Poet and author, Thomas Carlyle, at his suggestion. The two became close f riends and Hunts home was always open to his circle of friends, of which there were many.

Two stories exist. One story is that Leigh Hunt visited the Carlyles to deliver the news that he was going to publish one of Thomas Carlyles Poems. When the news was delivered to Carlyles wife, Jane, she jumped up and kissed him.

The other story is that during one winter Hunt was sick with influenza and absent for so long that when he finally recovered and went to visit the Carlyles, Jane jumped up and kissed him as soon as he appeared at the door. Two days later one of the Hunt servants delivered a note, addressed, From Mr. Hunt to Mrs. Carlyle. It contained the Poem, Jenny Kissed Me.

The second story is the one most often repeated.

Thankfully, Hunt was a wise editor, because in the original draft Jenny was Nelly and the word jaundiced was used instead of weary in the fifth line.

Reputedly, Leigh Hunt was a flirtatious man, often in trouble with his wi fe. Also reputedly, Jane Carlyle was a bit sour and better known for her acid tongue than for impulsive affection.

The Poem, Jenny Kissed Me has been described variously as whimsical, charming, simple, and unaffected. Many readers encounter it for the first time during their school-age years and remember it all their lives. Numerous girls have been named Jenny as a result of the fond memory of the Poem.

Features of the Poem

The first striking structural feature of Jenny Kissed Me is the trochaic meter. This is characterized by a foot that contains an accented syllable followed by an unaccented one. This meter is not commonly used in formal English Poetry because it can sound singsong.

The trochaic meter is more common in childrens nursery rhymes where a singsong rhythm is welcome. Think of Twinkle, twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are.

The singsong effect is offset by the abab rhyme scheme in the Poem, as opposed to an aabb rhyme scheme. The former rhyme scheme produces a four line verse as the basic unit of the Poem, as in Jenny Kissed Me. The latter rhyme scheme produces two line couplets which enhance the singsong effect, as in childrens nursery rhymes.

Trochaic meter can also sound solemn or heavy due to the fact that the trochaic foot has a falling pattern (stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable). However, Jenny Kissed Me is a lighthearted Poem and is supported by the use of feminine rhymes.

Lines that end with a stressed syllable are said to be masculine and lines that end with an unstressed syllable are said to be feminine. In Jenny Kissed Me lines 1, 3, 5, and 7 are masculine, but that rhyme pattern is not carried throughout the Poem. Lines 2, 4, 6, and 8 are feminine, helping to offset the masculine rhymes and helping to make the Poem feel lighter and brighter.

The insightful ending to Jenny Kissed Me invariably brings a smile to the readers face.

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Garry Gamber is a public school teacher and entrepreneur. He writes articles about politics, real estate, health and nutrition, and internet dating services. He is the owner of http://www.Anchorage-Homes.com and http://www.TheDatingAdvisor.com.

Author:: Garry Gamber
Keywords:: Jenny Kissed Me, Leigh Hunt, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Dickens, Hunt, Poem, Poet, Hunts, Hunt's
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