Author: Madison Julius Cawein
Awake! the dawn is on the hills! Behold, at her cool throat a rose, Blue-eyed and beautiful she goes, Leaving her steps in daffodils. - Awake! arise! and let me see Thine eyes, whose deeps epitomize All dawns that were or are to be, O love, all Heaven in thine eyes! - Awake! arise! come down to me! Behold! the dawn is up: behold! How all the birds around her float, Wild rills of music, note on note, Spilling the air with mellow gold. - Arise! awake! and, drawing near, Let me but hear thee and rejoice! Thou, who keep'st captive, sweet and clear, All song, O love, within thy voice! Arise! awake! and let me hear! See, where she comes, with limbs of day, The dawn! with wild-rose hands and feet, Within whose veins the sunbeams beat, And laughters meet of wind and ray. Arise! come down! and, heart to heart, Love, let me clasp in thee all these - The sunbeam, of which thou art part, And all the rapture of the breeze! - Arise! come down! loved that thou art!
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 an enchanting blend of lyrical romanticism and vibrant imagery, with the dominant themes revolving around love, nature, and awakening. The poetic speaker implores his beloved to wake up and share the beauty of the dawn with him. The dawn is not merely the start of a new day, but a symbol of renewal, hope, and beauty, personified as a "blue-eyed" woman adorned with a rose.
The structure of the poem is elegantly symmetrical, with an emphasis on repeated exclamations of "Awake!" and "Arise!" These serve to build anticipation, imbuing the poem with an urgent, pleading tone. The repeated invocation to the beloved, "O love", underscores the intimate relationship the speaker shares with his addressee.
The author's use of metaphor and personification is distinctive, transforming the abstract elements of dawn, song, and love into tangible, living entities. Phrases such as "steps in daffodils", "rills of music", and "wild-rose hands and feet" create vivid, sensory-rich images that captivate the reader. This poem is a testament to the author's ability to explore common themes with an original and enthralling voice.
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.