A Forest Child

By Madison Julius Cawein

Lyric Poem
    There is a place I search for still,     Sequestered as the world of dreams,     A bushy hollow, and a hill     That whispers with descending streams,     Cool, careless waters, wandering down,     Like Innocence who runs to town,     Leaving the wildwood and its dreams,     And prattling like the forest streams.     But still in dreams I meet again     The child who bound me, heart and hand,     And led me with a wildflower chain     Far from our world, to Faeryland:     Who made me see and made me know     The lovely Land of Long-Ago,     Leading me with her little hand     Into the world of Wonderland.     The years have passed: how far away     The day when there I met the child,     The little maid, who was a fay,     Whose eyes were dark and undefiled     And crystal as a woodland well,     That holds within its depths a spell,     Enchantments, featured like a child,     A dream, a poetry undefiled.     Around my heart she wrapped her hair,     And bound my soul with lips and eyes,     And led me to a cavern, where     Grey Legend dwelt in kingly guise,     Her kinsman, dreamier than the moon,     Who called her Fancy, read her rune,     And bade her with paternal eyes     Divest herself of her disguise.     And still I walk with her in dreams,     Though many years have passed since then,     And that high hill and its wild streams     Are lost as is that faery glen.     And as the years go swiftly by     I find it harder, when I try,     To meet with her, who led me then     Into the wildness of that glen.

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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 poignant reflection on time, innocence, and the power of dreams, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing for a mystical past. The theme is rendered in a tone that is both wistful and contemplative, as the speaker yearns for a lost place and time that once brimmed with enchantment.

The poet uses rich, evocative imagery throughout, painting a vivid picture of the "world of dreams" and "Faeryland" that the speaker seeks. The repeated motif of the "child" and the "little maid" who guided the speaker through these fantastical landscapes serves as a symbol for innocence and wonder, elements that are associated with childhood and are lamented as lost in adulthood. The recurring imagery of "streams," "wildflower chain," and "wildwood" underscore the theme of natural purity and freedom associated with this lost time.

The structure of the poem, marked by its regular rhythm and rhyme scheme, lends a musicality to the narrative, giving it a dreamlike quality that reflects its subject matter. The poem employs personification and metaphors effectively, imbuing non-human entities like "Innocence," "Legend," and "Fancy" with human characteristics, further deepening the sense of a fantastical past.

Despite the melancholy tone, the poem ends on a hopeful note, suggesting the enduring, if elusive, presence of this enchanting past in the speaker's dreams. In its exploration of the universal human yearning for simpler, purer times, the poem strikes a chord that resonates with readers, making it a powerful and evocative piece of work.

Exploring Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.

Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:

  • Expressive Language: Lyric poems use rich and evocative language to convey deep emotions, often painting a vivid picture of the poet's inner world.
  • Personal Perspective: Typically written in the first person, these poems offer a window into the poet's personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections.
  • Musicality: Lyric poems often feature a rhythmic structure, with meter and rhyme that give them a song-like quality, enhancing the emotional impact.

From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.