Below The Sunset's Range Of Rose

By Madison Julius Cawein

Narrative Poem
    Below the sunset's range of rose,     Below the heaven's deepening blue,     Down woodways where the balsam blows,     And milkweed tufts hang, gray with dew,     A Jersey heifer stops and lows -     The cows come home by one, by two.     There is no star yet: but the smell     Of hay and pennyroyal mix     With herb aromas of the dell,     Where the root-hidden cricket clicks:     Among the ironweeds a bell     Clangs near the rail-fenced clover-ricks.     She waits upon the slope beside     The windlassed well the plum trees shade,     The well curb that the goose-plums hide;     Her light hand on the bucket laid,     Unbonneted she waits, glad-eyed,     Her gown as simple as her braid.     She sees fawn-colored backs among     The sumacs now; a tossing horn     Its clashing bell of copper rung:     Long shadows lean upon the corn,     And slow the day dies, scarlet stung,     The cloud in it a rosy thorn.     Below the pleasant moon, that tips     The tree tops of the hillside, fly     The flitting bats; the twilight slips,     In firefly spangles, twinkling by,     Through which _he_ comes: Their happy lips     Meet - and one star leaps in the sky.     He takes her bucket, and they speak     Of married hopes while in the grass     The plum drops glowing as her cheek;     The patient cows look back or pass:     And in the west one golden streak     Burns as if God gazed through a glass.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem beautifully paints a pastoral scene with a romantic narrative, imbuing the daily routine of rural life with a sense of tranquility and emotional depth. The theme of love, subtly interwoven with the natural surroundings, gives the piece a tender, intimate tone. The poem alternates between the vivid, sensory descriptions of the countryside and the burgeoning romance between the two characters, creating an effective juxtaposition between the vastness of nature and the simplicity of human emotion.

The structure of the poem is orderly, aligning with the rhythm of the rural life it describes. The reader is led through the landscape as the sun sets and the day transitions into night, mirroring the journey of the cows returning home. This rhythmic pacing creates a soothing, lulling effect. The use of color - ‘sunset's range of rose’, ‘heaven's deepening blue’, ‘fawn-colored backs’ - creates a vivid, richly textured visual tapestry, contributing to the overall sensory experience of the poem. The poet also employs effective literary devices such as alliteration ('balsam blows', 'bucket laid') and simile ('gown as simple as her braid') to enhance the lyricism of the piece.

In terms of interpretation, the poem seems to celebrate the beauty of simple, everyday moments, suggesting that love and contentment can be found in the most humble of circumstances. This is further echoed in the final line, which offers a divine endorsement of this optimistic view - 'Burns as if God gazed through a glass.' The poem, therefore, presents a romantic vision of rural life, offering a comforting, idyllic escape from the complexities of the modern world.

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.