The Apparition Summary
John Donne

The Apparition Overview

"The Apparition" is a 17-line seduction poem by English metaphysical poet John Donne. It was originally published in 1633 in the posthumous first edition of Donne's poetry, but likely circulated in manuscript long before. The poem features a scorned speaker who threatens to reappear as a ghost to the woman who has rejected him. The poem attempts to convince the beloved to change her mind, cautioning her against a lonely and haunted future.