Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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    The "happy year" of 1914

    An hour from dawn:
    The snow sweeps on
    As it swept with sleet last night:
    The Earth around
    Breathes never a sound,
    Wrapped in its shroud of white.

    A waked cock crows
    Under the snows;
    Then silence. After while
    The sky grows blue,
    And a star looks through
    With a kind o' bitter smile.

    A whining dog;
    An axe on a log,
    And a muffled voice that calls:
    A cow's long low;
    Then footsteps slow
    Stamping into the stalls.

    A bed of straw
    Where the wind blows raw
    Through cracks of the stable door:
    A child's small cry,
    A voice nearby,
    That says, "One mouth the more."

    A different note
    In a man's rough throat
    As he turns at an entering tread
    Satyrs! see!
    "My woman she
    Was brought last night to bed!"

    A cry of"Halt!"
    "Ach! ich bin kalt!"
    "A spy!""No.""That is clear!
    There's a good shake-down
    I' the jail in town
    For her!" And then, "My orders here."

    A shot, sharp-rolled
    As the clouds unfold:
    A scream; and a cry forlorn...
    Clothed red with fire,
    Like the Heart's Desire,
    Look down the Christmas Morn.

    The babe with light
    Is haloed bright,
    And it is Christmas Day:
    A cry of woe;
    Then footsteps slow,
    And the wild guns, far away.

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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This piece is a poignant narrative poem that uses vivid imagery and a stark, desolate scene to convey a sense of loss and sorrow. The poem begins by setting an atmosphere of cold and silence, effectively utilizing the winter landscape as a metaphor for the desolation and hardship brought about by the year 1914. The allusions to a bleak winter morning, with the "snow sweeping on" and the "Earth...wrapped in its shroud of white," underscore the themes of solitude and despair.

The poem's structure is well-crafted, with each stanza serving as a snapshot of a moment in time. The poet uses a sequence of simple, domestic images such as a crowing rooster, a whining dog, and a chopping axe, to create a sense of normalcy and calm. However, this tranquility is abruptly shattered by the intrusion of violence signified by the "cry of 'Halt!'" and the "shot, sharp-rolled." The juxtaposition of serene, domestic life and sudden violence serves to underscore the tragic impact of war on everyday existence.

The poem's tone is somber and melancholic, heightened by the stark contrast between the peaceful Christmas narrative and the brutal reality of war. The use of a new-born baby, typically a symbol of hope, alongside images of violence and despair creates a jarring, ironic twist. This, coupled with the "wild guns, far away" in the final line, leaves the reader with a profound sense of unease and sorrow.

Overall, the poet expertly uses contrast, imagery, and a well-constructed narrative to convey a powerful commentary on the devastating impact of war.