Author: Madison Julius Cawein
I. The winds are whist; and, hid in mist, The moon hangs o'er the wooded height; The bushy bee, with unkempt head, Hath made the sunflower's disk his bed, And sleeps half-hid from sight. The owlet makes us melody - Come dance with us in Fary, Come dance with us to-night. II. The dew is damp; the glow-worm's lamp Blurs in the moss its tawny light; The great gray moth sinks, half-asleep, Where, in an elfin-laundered heap, The lily-gowns hang white. The crickets make us minstrelsy - Come dance with us in Fary, Come dance with us to-night. III. With scents of heat, dew-chilled and sweet, The new-cut hay smells by the bight; The ghost of some dead pansy bloom, The butterfly dreams in the gloom, Its pied wings folded tight. The world is lost in fantasy, - Come dance with us in Fary, Come dance with us to-night.
Type of Poem: Lyric Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem beautifully evokes a vivid, mystical nocturnal landscape where nature and fantasy intertwine. The recurring theme is a whimsical invitation to the reader to partake in a night of dancing in the fairy realm, emphasizing the enchantment and allure of the natural world after sunset. The tone is dreamy and inviting, seamlessly blending the ordinary with the extraordinary, and creating a sense of magical realism.
The structure of the poem is consistent across the three stanzas, each beginning with detailed observations of the night world, before culminating in the repeated, alluring invitation. The poet uses a rich array of natural symbols like the moon, the bee, the sunflower, the moth, and the butterfly, which are all traditionally associated with fairy lore, to draw us into this enchanting night-time sphere.
The poet's use of alliteration, such as "bushy bee," "disk his bed," and "dew damp," creates a soft, rhythmic flow, reminiscent of a lullaby or a dance tune, further emphasizing the enchanting, musical nature of the scene. The poem's standout literary device is the use of synecdoche in phrases like "the butterfly dreams," where the butterfly stands in for the entire natural world, underlining the poem's theme of unity between the individual and the cosmos. In sum, this poem is a delightful, mystical celebration of the night, nature, and the magic of imagination.
Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.
Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:
From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.