Bare Boughs

By Madison Julius Cawein

Elegy
    O heart, - that beat the bird's blithe blood,     The blithe bird's strain, and understood     The song it sang to leaf and bud, -     What dost thou in the wood?     O soul, - that kept the brook's glad flow,     The glad brook's word to sun and moon, -     What dost thou here where song lies low,     And dead the dreams of June?     Where once was heard a voice of song,     The hautboys of the mad winds sing;     Where once a music flowed along,     The rain's wild bugle's ring.     The weedy water frets and ails,     And moans in many a sunless fall;     And, o'er the melancholy, trails     The black crow's eldritch call.     Unhappy brook! O withered wood!     O days, whom Death makes comrades of!     Where are the birds that thrilled the blood     When Life struck hands with Love?     A song, one soared against the blue;     A song, one silvered in the leaves;     A song, one blew where orchards grew     Gold-appled to the eaves.     The birds are flown; the flowers, dead;     And sky and earth are bleak and gray:     Where Joy once went, all light of tread,     Grief haunts the leaf-wild way.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem explores themes of transience, loss, and the melancholy of change, using nature as a poignant metaphor. The poet constructs a dialogue between the heart, the soul, and their surrounding environment, using questions to evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia for the vibrant past.

The tone is marked by a profound melancholy, underscored by the repeated use of words like "dead," "withers," "unhappy," and "grief." This mood is contrasted with the once vibrant, joyous nature described in the past tense, creating a stark dichotomy between past splendor and present decay. The poet effectively uses imagery and personification to amplify this contrast. The vivid descriptions, such as "the blithe bird's strain" and "gold-appled to the eaves," juxtaposed with bleak images like "the rain's wild bugle's ring" and "the black crow's eldritch call," paint a vivid picture of nature's transformation from a site of joy and vitality to one of desolation and death.

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhythm and rhyming scheme, further contributes to the overall harmony of the piece, while simultaneously contrasting with its somber content. Standout literary devices include the use of the rhetorical question and personification, both of which add depth and emotion to the narrative. The use of the rhetorical question serves to accentuate the mystery and uncertainty of life's impermanence, while personification imbues the natural world with human characteristics, making the loss feel more immediate and personal.

In conclusion, this poem is a contemplative exploration of the cyclical nature of life, and the inevitable melancholy that accompanies change and loss. It uses effective language, structure, and literary devices to convey a deeply felt sense of longing for the vibrancy of the past.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.