Autumn At Annisquam

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    The bitter-sweet and red-haw in her hands,     And in her hair pale berries of the bay,     She haunts the coves and every Cape Ann way,     The Indian, Autumn, wandered from her bands.     Beside the sea, upon a rock, she stands,     And looks across the foam, and straight the grey     Takes on a sunset tone, and all the day     Murmurs with music of forgotten lands.     Now in the woods, knee-deep among the ferns,     She walks and smiles and listens to the pines,     The sweetheart pines, that kiss and kiss again,     Whispering their love: and now she frowns and turns     And in the west the fog in ragged lines     Rears the wild wigwams of the tribes of rain.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is an evocative exploration of the transition from summer to autumn, particularly within a coastal, possibly Native American context. The juxtaposition of natural elements such as "bitter-sweet and red-haw", "pale berries of the bay", "sea" and "foam", with human and cultural signs like "the Indian, Autumn", "forgotten lands", and "wild wigwams of the tribes of rain" serves to create a vivid and somewhat melancholic atmosphere.

The poem’s structure, an octave followed by a sestet, draws attention to its shift in tone. The first part is dominated by the sensory richness of natural elements and the figure of the Indian Autumn. The latter part, however, reveals a more introspective perspective, focusing on the emotions and reactions of the figure, as she listens to the "sweetheart pines" and confronts the impending change signaled by the "fog in ragged lines". This shift could be interpreted as an exploration of the tension between the external world and internal emotional experience. The recurring use of the natural world as a metaphor also suggests a theme of change and inevitable progression, as mirrored in the seasonal shift from summer to fall. Overall, the poem combines imagery, rhythm and structure to create a richly textured and poignant meditation on change, nature, and cultural memory.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.