A Confession

Author: Madison Julius Cawein

    These are the facts: - I was to blame:
    I brought her here and wrought her shame:
    She came with me all trustingly.
    Lovely and innocent her face:
    And in her perfect form, the grace
    Of purity and modesty.

    I think I loved her then: 'would dote
    On her ambrosial breast and throat,
    Young as a blossom's tenderness:
    Her eyes, that were both glad and sad:
    Her cheeks and chin, that dimples had:
    Her mouth, red-ripe to kiss and kiss.

    Three months passed by; three moons of fire;
    When in me sickened all desire:
    And in its place a devil, - who
    Filled all my soul with deep disgust,
    And on the victim of my lust
    Turned eyes of loathing, - swiftly grew.

    One night, when by my side she slept,
    I rose: and leaning, while I kept
    The dagger hid, I kissed her hair
    And throat: and, when she smiled asleep,
    Into her heart I drove it deep:
    And left her dead, still smiling there.
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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a chilling narrative of love turned to horror, told from the perspective of a remorseful yet remorseless protagonist. The themes of trust, innocence, love, and betrayal are interwoven with dark undertones of obsession, lust, and ultimately, murder. The tone is haunting, filled with regret and bitter self-recrimination, yet tempered with an unsettling calmness.

The poem's structure is quite traditional, with consistent rhyme and rhythm that create a sense of familiarity, which sharply contrasts with the shocking subject matter. This juxtaposition heightens the horror of the narrative. In terms of literary devices, the poet effectively uses vivid imagery and metaphor to portray the shifting emotions of the narrator. Descriptions such as "ambrosial breast and throat" and "eyes, that were both glad and sad" paint a picture of the woman as a delicate, innocent creature, enhancing the tragedy of her fate. The build-up to the climax is executed with a frightening precision, with the introduction of the "devil" symbolising the protagonist's transformation from a lover to a killer. The final lines, where the protagonist murders the woman while she is "still smiling", leaves a horrifying, lingering impact, showcasing the poet's ability to handle dark themes with a powerfully evocative touch.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.