Evening On The Farm

By Madison Julius Cawein

    From out the hills where twilight stands,     Above the shadowy pasture lands,     With strained and strident cry,     Beneath pale skies that sunset bands,     The bull-bats fly.     A cloud hangs over, strange of shape,     And, colored like the half-ripe grape,     Seems some uneven stain     On heaven's azure; thin as crape,     And blue as rain.     By ways, that sunset's sardonyx     O'erflares, and gates the farm-boy clicks,     Through which the cattle came,     The mullein-stalks seem giant wicks     Of downy flame.     From woods no glimmer enters in,     Above the streams that, wandering, win     To where the wood pool bids,     Those haunters of the dusk begin, -     The katydids.     Adown the dark the firefly marks     Its flight in gold and emerald sparks;     And, loosened from his chain,     The shaggy mastiff bounds and barks,     And barks again.     Each breeze brings scents of hill-heaped hay;     And now an owlet, far away,     Cries twice or thrice, "T-o-o-w-h-o-o";     And cool dim moths of mottled gray     Flit through the dew.     The silence sounds its frog-bassoon,     Where, on the woodland creek's lagoon, -     Pale as a ghostly girl     Lost 'mid the trees, - looks down the moon     With face of pearl.     Within the shed where logs, late hewed,     Smell forest-sweet, and chips of wood     Make blurs of white and brown,     The brood-hen cuddles her warm brood     Of teetering down.     The clattering guineas in the tree     Din for a time; and quietly     The henhouse, near the fence,     Sleeps, save for some brief rivalry     Of cocks and hens.     A cowbell tinkles by the rails,     Where, streaming white in foaming pails,     Milk makes an uddery sound;     While overhead the black bat trails     Around and round.     The night is still. The slow cows chew     A drowsy cud. The bird that flew     And sang is in its nest.     It is the time of falling dew,     Of dreams and rest.     The beehives sleep; and round the walk,     The garden path, from stalk to stalk     The bungling beetle booms,     Where two soft shadows stand and talk     Among the blooms.     The stars are thick: the light is dead     That dyed the west: and Drowsyhead,     Tuning his cricket-pipe,     Nods, and some apple, round and red,     Drops over-ripe.     Now down the road, that shambles by,     A window, shining like an eye     Through climbing rose and gourd,     Shows Age and young Rusticity     Seated at board.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
The poem presents an atmospheric and vivid depiction of a tranquil evening in a rural setting. The narrative is densely populated with images from nature, which are rendered with an impressive attention to detail and a strong sense of the idyllic. The poet makes use of rich and evocative language, painting a comprehensive image of the landscape, the animals, and the subtle changes that occur as day turns to night.

The primary theme of the poem is the peacefulness and beauty of rural life. This is conveyed through the calm, measured tone of the poem, and the variety of sensory details that immerse the reader in the scene. The structure of the poem, with its regular rhythm and rhyme, also contributes to this sense of tranquility. The poet employs a number of literary devices to enhance the imagery, including simile ("as blue as rain"), personification ("the silence sounds its frog-bassoon"), and metaphor ("the mullein-stalks seem giant wicks"). The standout among these is the extensive use of color throughout the poem, which not only serves to create vivid images, but also evokes certain moods. For instance, the colors of the sunset and the "azure" of the sky contribute to the serene atmosphere, while the "gold and emerald sparks" of the firefly lend a touch of magic to the scene. In sum, this is a beautifully crafted poem that captures the essence of a peaceful evening in the countryside.

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.