After Storm

By Madison Julius Cawein

Lyric Poem
    Great clouds of sullen seal and gold     Bar bleak the tawny west,     From which all day the-thunder rolled,     And storm streamed, crest on crest.     Now silvery in its deeps of bronze     The new moon fills its sphere;     And point by point the darkness dons     Its pale stars there and here.     But still behind the moon and stars,     The peace of heaven, remains     Suspicion of the wrath that wars,     That Nature now restrains.     As, lined 'neath tiger eyelids, glare     The wild-beast eyes that sleep,     So smoulders in its sunset lair     The rage that rent the deep.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem vividly juxtaposes the peaceful and turbulent aspects of nature, creating a dichotomy that is both intriguing and unsettling. The speaker describes a visually arresting scene of a western sky filled with "great clouds of sullen seal and gold," from which thunder and storms have been raging all day. This image, filled with raw and turbulent energy, is set against the serene picture of the "new moon" filling "its sphere" and the "pale stars" appearing one by one as the darkness descends.

The poem's tone oscillates between the tranquil and the tumultuous, echoing the unpredictable and often paradoxical nature of the natural world. This dichotomy is further emphasized through the poem's structure, which alternates between the peaceful and the violent, leading to an overall feeling of unease. The use of vivid and evocative imagery, such as the comparison of the lurking storm to the glare hidden under a sleeping tiger's eyelids, underscores this tension and enhances the dramatic impact of the poem.

The concluding two lines suggest a lurking, smouldering rage that remains even in the calm, reinforcing the poem's central theme of the coexistence of peace and chaos in nature. The phrase "the rage that rent the deep" serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent unpredictability and latent violence that can exist beneath the surface of tranquillity. This poem is a poignant exploration of the complex, multifaceted, and often contradictory nature of the natural world.

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.