Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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A mist that froze beneath the moon and shook
Minutest frosty fire in the air.
All night the wind was still as lonely Care
Who sighs before her shivering ingle-nook.
The face of Winter wore a crueler look
Than when he shakes the icicles from his hair,
And, in the boisterous pauses, lets his stare
Freeze through the forest, fettering bough and brook.
He is the despot now who sits and dreams
Of Desolation and Despair, and smiles
At Poverty, who hath no place to rest,
Who wanders o'er Life's snow-made pathless miles,
And sees the Home-of-Comfort's window gleams,
And hugs her rag-wrapped baby to her breast.

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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a vivid and emotive portrayal of winter, characterized not simply as a season but as a merciless tyrant, embodying feelings of desolation, despair, and harshness. The poet uses personification to breathe life into the abstract concept of winter, enabling readers to visualize it as a cruel despot, relishing the suffering it inflicts on the impoverished.

The tone of the poem is predominantly somber and poignant, effectively conveying the harsh realities of poverty in the biting cold of winter. The poem is structured in a way that enhances this tone, using tightly controlled rhyme and rhythm to underscore the relentless nature of winter and poverty. The imagery used is striking, from the "minutest frosty fire in the air" to the "rag-wrapped baby," painting a bleak picture of winter and its effects. The poem's key themes include the struggles of poverty, the harshness of winter, and the power of nature. The poet’s use of metaphor and personification is notable, lending depth to the poem and enhancing its emotive impact. Through these devices, the poem becomes more than mere description, transforming into a commentary on the human condition and the mercilessness of nature.