Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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    The locust gyres; the heat intensifies'
    The rain-crow croaks from hot-leafed tree to tree:
    The butterfly, a flame-fleck, aimlessly
    Droops down the air and knows not where it flies.
    Beside the stream, whose bed in places
    The small green heron flaps; the minnows flee:
    And mid the blackberry-lilies, wasp and bee
    Drowse where the cattle pant with half-closed eyes.
    The Summer Day, like some tired labourer,
    Lays down her burden here and sinks to rest,
    The tan of toil upon her face and hands:
    She dreams, and lo, the heavens over her
    Unfold her dream: Along the boundless West
    Rolls gold the harvest of the sunset's lands.

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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a vivid exploration of a sultry summer day, using rich imagery and personification to evoke the lethargy and languid pace inherent in such an environment. The key themes revolve around nature's reactions to the heat and the passage of time, with the day personified as a laborer weary from toil. The tone is one of languid resignation and acceptance, reflecting the heavy, almost oppressive atmosphere of a hot summer day.

The structure of the poem follows a consistent format, with each line painting a vivid picture of a specific aspect of the summer landscape. Intriguing similes such as "the butterfly, a flame-fleck" and metaphors like "Summer Day, like some tired labourer" enrich the text, helping to cement the overall picture of a world slowed down by heat. The use of personification, particularly in the latter part of the poem, imbues the summer day with a sense of tired humanity, making it a relatable and empathetic figure. The final lines, which suggest a dreamlike harvest of golden sunset, provide a fitting conclusion that reinforces the sense of weary fulfillment that permeates the poem. The poem also showcases effective use of alliteration and sound devices, such as the repeated 's' sounds, creating a whispery, hushed tone that mirrors the muted vitality of the depicted summer day.