A Maid Who Died Old

By Madison Julius Cawein

Elegy
    Frail, shrunken face, so pinched and worn,     That life has carved with care and doubt!     So weary waiting, night and morn,     For that which never came about!     Pale lamp, so utterly forlorn,     In which God's light at last is out.     Gray hair, that lies so thin and prim     On either side the sunken brows!     And soldered eyes, so deep and dim,     No word of man could now arouse!     And hollow hands, so virgin slim,     Forever clasped in silent vows!     Poor breasts! that God designed for love,     For baby lips to kiss and press;     That never felt, yet dreamed thereof,     The human touch, the child caress -     That lie like shriveled blooms above     The heart's long-perished happiness.     O withered body, Nature gave     For purposes of death and birth,     That never knew, and could but crave     Those things perhaps that make life worth, -     Rest now, alas! within the grave,     Sad shell that served no end of Earth.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant and deeply melancholic poem explores themes of unfulfilled life, resignation, and the inexorable passage of time. The poet uses physical decay as a metaphor for a life spent in waiting for things that never came to pass - perhaps love, perhaps motherhood, suggested by the line, "Poor breasts! that God designed for love, For baby lips to kiss and press." The tone is one of deep regret and sorrow, underscored by the recurring imagery of physical frailty, such as the "shrunken face," "hollow hands," and "withered body."

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with its own focus on a particular aspect of physical decline, which together form a lament for the unlived life. The poet uses a rich array of literary devices, including personification (the "Pale lamp, so utterly forlorn"), metaphor (the breasts compared to "shriveled blooms"), and repetition (the repeated references to the body's decay) to heighten the emotional impact of the poem. The concluding lines are particularly powerful, embodying the poem's theme of wasted potential and life unlived: "Rest now, alas! within the grave, Sad shell that served no end of Earth." Overall, the poem presents a bleak but deeply human exploration of life's disappointments, regrets, and the inevitable decay that accompanies aging.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.