Earth And Moon

By Madison Julius Cawein

Sonnet
    I Saw the day like some great monarch die,     Gold-couched, behind the clouds' rich tapestries.     Then, purple-sandaled, clad in silences     Of sleep, through halls of skyey lazuli,     The twilight, like a mourning queen, trailed by,     Dim-paged of dreams and shadowy mysteries;     And now the night, the star-robed child of these,     In meditative loveliness draws nigh.     Earth, like to Romeo, deep in dew and scent,     Beneath Heaven's window, watching till a light,     Like some white blossom, in its square be set,     Lifts a faint face unto the firmament,     That, with the moon, grows gradually bright,     Bidding him climb and clasp his Juliet.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a beautifully crafted allegorical depiction of a day's transition into night, filled with rich imagery and classical allusions. The poet employs the day's passage as a metaphor for a royal narrative, each phase corresponding to a different character - the dying king, the mourning queen, and finally, the star-robed child. This metaphorical narrative imbues the poem with a grandeur and drama that is further emphasized by vivid descriptions and the use of color.

The poem's structure is a sonnet, typically used for expressing love or deep emotion, which complements the romantic tone and theme. The poet's language is evocative and lyrical, using phrases like "purple-sandaled," "clad in silences," and "star-robed" to provide a sensory richness that heightens the emotional impact. The final six lines introduce a new metaphor, comparing Earth to Romeo awaiting his beloved Juliet, the moon, in the night sky. This provides a poignant and romantic conclusion to the poem's narrative, connecting the natural world with human emotion. The poem's tone is contemplative and serene, its pacing slow and deliberate, mirroring the gradual onset of night. The use of alliteration, assonance, and consonance throughout the poem lends a musical quality to the verse, further enhancing its emotional resonance. Overall, this poem is a stunning example of lyric poetry, characterized by its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and the masterful use of poetic devices.

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.