Face To Face

By Madison Julius Cawein

Elegy
    Dead! and all the haughty fate      Fair on throat and face of wax,      White, calm hands crossed still and lax,     Cold, impassionate!     Dead! and no word whispered low      At the dull ear now could wake      One responsive chord or make     One wan temple glow.     Dead! and no hot tear would stir      All that woman sweet and fair,      Woman soul from feet to hair     Which was once of her.     God! and thus to die! and I -      I must live though life be but      One long, hard, monotonous rut,     There to plod and - die!     Creeds are well in such a case;      But no sermon could have wrought      More of faith than you have taught     With your pale, dead face.     And I see it as you see -      One mistake, so very small!      Yet so great it mangled all,     Left you this and me!     Oft I pondered saying, "Sure      She could never live such life!"      And the truth stabbed like a knife     When I found you pure.     Pure, so pure! and me bemoiled,      Loathly as loathed vermin, just      As weak souls are left of lust -     Loveless, low, and soiled.     Nay! I loved you then and love! -      Grand, great eyes, I see them yet,      Set like luminous gems of jet     In wax lids above.     Lips - O poor, dumb, chideless lips!      Once as red as life could make,      Moist as wan wild roses wake     When the wild dew drips.     Hair - imperial, full, and warm      As a Grace's, where one stone      Precious lay ensnared and shone     Like a star in storm.     Eyes - at parting big with pain;      God! I see them and the tear      In them - big as eyes of deer     Led by lights and slain!     Life so true! I falsely cursed -      Lips that, curled with scorn and pride,      Hurt me though I said they lied,     While the true heart burst.     Rest! my heart has suffered too:      And this life had woe enough      For the little dole of love     Given to me and you.     Can you hear me? can you know      What I am and how it came,      You, beyond me like a flame,     You, before me like the snow!     Dead! and all my heart a cup      Hollowed for sad, bitter tears,      Bitter in the bitter years     Slowly brimming up.     Sleep! 'tis well! but might have been      Better! - yes, God knows it might!      Better for me in His sight     And my soul more clean.     Sleep in very peace! but I      With Earth's other fools will stay,      Live 'mid laughter, day by day     Mocking laugh and - die.     You will know me now, I know,      But in life had never known      How, indeed, I was alone -     But, 'tis better so.     And I know you what you were,      Faithful and - it were no use,      Only to yourself abuse, -     I shall tell you there.     There beyond the lightning and      The long clouds and utter skies,      Moons and suns and stars that rise,     Where we'll understand.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This is a deeply moving and complex poem, steeped in themes of death, love, regret, and self-loathing. The speaker contemplates the lifeless body of a loved one, lamenting their own shortcomings and the cruel twists of fate that led to their current state of despair. The tone is one of profound sorrow and introspection, punctuated by moments of bitter self-recrimination.

The poem's structure is regular, maintaining a consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme throughout, which contrasts with the tumultuous emotional content. The poet skillfully uses a variety of literary devices to enhance the emotional impact and depth of the poem. Notably, the recurring use of exclamation marks intensifies the speaker's emotions, amplifying the sense of loss and despair. Vivid and visceral imagery, such as "white, calm hands crossed still and lax" and "lips that, curled with scorn and pride, hurt me though I said they lied" render the physicality of death and the emotional pain of the speaker palpable. The poet also employs contrast effectively, juxtaposing the purity of the deceased with the speaker's self-perceived corruption, deepening the sense of regret and self-loathing. The poem concludes with a hopeful yet melancholic vision of understanding in the afterlife, suggesting a longing for redemption and reunion.

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.