Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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I.

    White as a lily moulded of Earth's milk
    That eve the moon bloomed in a hyacinth sky;
    Soft in the gleaming glens the wind went by,
    Faint as a phantom clothed in unseen silk:
    Bright as a naiad's leap, from shine to shade
    The runnel twinkled through the shaken brier;
    Above the hills one long cloud, pulsed with fire,
    Flashed like a great enchantment-welded blade.
    And when the western sky seemed some weird land,
    And night a witching spell at whose command
    One sloping star fell green from heav'n; and deep
    The warm rose opened for the moth to sleep;
    Then she, consenting, laid her hands in his,
    And lifted up her lips for their first kiss.

II.

    There where they part, the porch's steps are strewn
    With wind-blown petals of the purple vine;
    Athwart the porch the shadow of a pine
    Cleaves the white moonlight; and like some calm rune
    Heaven says to Earth, shines the majestic moon;
    And now a meteor draws a lilac line
    Across the welkin, as if God would sign
    The perfect poem of this night of June.
    The wood-wind stirs the flowering chestnut-tree,
    Whose curving blossoms strew the glimmering grass
    Like crescents that wind-wrinkled waters glass;
    And, like a moonstone in a frill of flame,
    The dewdrop trembles on the peony,
    As in a lover's heart his sweetheart's name.

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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 beautifully constructed piece that provides a vivid exploration of nature, love, and time. The poet uses enchanting and vividly detailed imagery to bring to life the natural world, intertwining it with the burgeoning love between two individuals. The tone is predominantly romantic and serene, with a hint of melancholy, possibly suggesting the transient nature of these perfect moments.

The first verse sets the scene, painting an idyllic picture of a moonlit evening with descriptive language and various literary devices such as similes and metaphors. It builds up to the romantic climax, where the woman accepts the man's affection, signified by the "first kiss". The second verse maintains the nature-centric imagery but subtly shifts the focus to the passage of time and the inevitable parting that follows the peak of the romantic encounter. The beautiful but fleeting visuals, like "wind-blown petals" and "a meteor draws a lilac line," indicate the transient, ephemeral nature of the moment.

The poem's structure gives it a sense of symmetry and balance, with each verse equivalent in length and similar in their balance of natural and romantic imagery. The poet utilizes a strong rhythmic pattern, enhancing the flow and musicality of the poem. Overall, the poem effectively communicates the joy and sorrow of love amid the majestic scenery of the natural world.