Author: Madison Julius Cawein
I. Come with me where April twilights Wigwam blue the April hills; Where the shadows and the high lights Swarm the woods that Springtime fills. Tents where dwell the tribes of beauty, Tasseled scouts whose camp-fires glow Over leagues of wild-flower booty Rescued from the camps of snow. II. A thousand windflowers blowing! They print the ways with palest pearl, As if with raiment flowing Here passed some glimmering girl. A thousand bluets breaking! They take the heart with glad surprise, As if some wild girl waking Looked at you with bewildered eyes. A thousand buds and flowers, A thousand birds and bees: What spirit haunts the bowers! What dream that no one sees! III. Her kirtle is white as the wild-plum bloom, Her girdle is pink as the crab; Her face is sweet as a wood perfume Or haw that the sunbeams stab. Her boddice is green as the beetle's wing That jewels the light o' the sun; And the earth and the air around her sing Wherever her mad feet run. Her beautiful feet, that bloom and bud And print with blossoms each place. Oh, let us follow them into the wood And gaze on her, face to face.
Type of Poem: Lyric Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem is a vibrant ode to the rebirth and vitality of spring, vividly captured through the use of sensory language and imagery. The poet employs the theme of transformation, depicting the transition from winter to spring as a shift from desolation to abundant life. The tone is celebratory and reverential, highlighting the poet's deep appreciation for the beauty of nature.
The poem's structure is divided into three stanzas, each providing a different perspective on the arrival of spring. The first stanza introduces the setting, using metaphorical language, such as "Wigwam blue the April hills" and "wild-flower booty / Rescued from the camps of snow," to personify the landscape. The second stanza focuses on the blooming flowers, again employing personification to imbue them with human qualities, creating a sense of interaction between the observer and the observed. The third stanza introduces a female figure, whose description is a composite of various natural elements, making her a manifestation of spring itself.
The poet uses a number of standout literary devices, such as vivid imagery ("A thousand windflowers blowing! / They print the ways with palest pearl") and metaphors ("Her boddice is green as the beetle's wing / That jewels the light o' the sun"). Through this, the poem presents a rich tapestry of sensory experiences, creating an immersive and evocative portrait of the spring season.
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:
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.