Lines On The Death Of A Farmer's Wife.

By James McIntyre

            This good woman when in this life,             She was kind mother and good wife,             And managed her household with care,             She and her husband happy pair.             And her name it will long be praised             By the large family she has raised,             She laid up treasures in the skies,             And now enjoys the Heavenly prize.             She rose each morn with happy smile,             And ardent all the day did toil,             For work it to her had a charm,             And busy was each hand and arm.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a sincere and heartwarming tribute to a woman who is described as a dedicated wife, loving mother, and diligent homemaker. Her life, though ordinary, is depicted as virtuous and fulfilling. The themes of domesticity, family life, and the validation of women's work in the home are central to this poem.

The tone of the poem is reverent and appreciative, highlighting the woman's positive attributes and her impact on her family. The structure of the poem, comprised of quatrains with an ABAB rhyme scheme, provides a rhythmic and consistent flow, emphasizing the steady, dependable nature of the woman it describes.

Noteworthy literary devices include personification, as seen in the line 'For work it to her had a charm,' conveying the woman's love for her daily tasks and responsibilities. Additionally, the metaphor 'She laid up treasures in the skies' signifies the woman's spiritual wealth, accrued through her good deeds and kindness. This phrase also hints at the poem’s underlying religious context, suggesting that the woman's earthly duties and selflessness have earned her a divine reward.

Overall, this poem paints a vivid, affectionate portrait of a woman whose life, though seemingly mundane, is underscored by a profound sense of purpose, love, and spiritual fulfillment.

Understanding Cinquain

A **cinquain** is a five-line poem prized for concentration and clarity. In English, it often follows the American syllabic pattern popularized by Adelaide Crapsey, but there are flexible variants used in classrooms and contemporary practice.


Common approaches and features:

  • Five Lines: The defining feature—compact form encourages vivid images and precise diction.
  • American Cinquain (Syllabic): Typical syllable counts per line: 2  / 4  / 6  / 8  / 2. Variants sometimes use 3/5/7/9/3 or loosen counts slightly.
  • Didactic Cinquain (Parts of Speech): A teaching-friendly pattern: Line 1—one noun; Line 2—two adjectives; Line 3—three verbs/participles; Line 4—a four-word phrase or feeling; Line 5—a synonym/summary noun.
  • Form Variants: Mirror cinquain (5+5 lines, the second in reverse counts), crown cinquain (a sequence of five cinquains), and free-verse adaptations.
  • Tone & Focus: Image-driven, momentary, and distilled—ideal for capturing a scene, object, or flash of insight.
  • Rhyme & Meter: Not required; sound comes from line-length contrast, stress, and strategic repetition.

The cinquain’s small frame invites exactness—each line a step that sharpens the image and lands with a clean, memorable close.