At The Sign Of The Skull.

Author: Madison Julius Cawein

    It's "Gallop and go!" and "Slow, now, slow!"
    With every man in this life below
    But the things of this world are a fleeting show.

    The postchaise Time that all must take
    Is old with clay and dust;
    Two horses strain its rusty brake
    Named Pleasure and Disgust.

    Our baggage totters on its roof,
    Of Vanity and Care,
    As Hope, the postboy, spurs each hoof,
    Or heavy-eyed Despair.

    And now a comrade with us rides,
    Love, haply, or Remorse;
    And that dim traveler besides,
    Gaunt Memory on a horse.

    And be we king or be we kern
    Who ride the roads of Sin,
    No matter how the roads may turn
    They lead us to that Inn.

    Unto that Inn within that land
    Of silence and of gloom,
    Whose ghastly landlord takes our hand
    And leads us to our room.

    It's "Gallop and go!" and "Slow, now, slow!"
    With every man in this life below
    But the things of this world are a fleeting show.
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Type of Poem: Narrative Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a profound exploration of life's journey, using the metaphor of a horse-drawn carriage ride to examine human existence and its inherent impermanence. It underscores the transient nature of worldly pursuits, the essence of time, and the inevitability of mortality. The poet makes effective use of personification, assigning roles to abstract concepts such as Pleasure, Disgust, Vanity, Care, Hope, and Despair to illustrate the dichotomy of human experiences. Love, Remorse, and Memory are also personified as fellow travelers, emphasizing the influence of emotional experiences on our life's journey.

The poem is structured in a steady rhythm, leading its readers down the winding road of life. The repetition of the lines "It's 'Gallop and go!' and 'Slow, now, slow!'" and "But the things of this world are a fleeting show" serves as a poignant reminder of life's ephemeral nature. The tone is sober, even somber, as the piece grapples with universal themes of life, death, and the passage of time. Despite the grim inevitability of the journey's end, the poem also subtly celebrates human experience in all its complexity, reminding us that whether we are a 'king or kern,' we all share the same road and the same destination. This ultimately evokes a sense of unity and common experience, despite the differences in our individual paths.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.